I met one of the nicest couples today. James and Janis Zubler from Warren Illinois came in and wound up purchasing a late model SUV from Runde Chevrolet.  They were nice enough to share their Runde experience as well as some of their life experiences with me before they left the building. What vehicle did you buy? A GMC Envoy, it’s a smooth ride. What led you to Runde’s instead of other dealerships? We heard good reports: easy to deal with, kept hearing we could get a good deal and our neighbors suggested it. Our neighbor was here less than a year ago and he bought two vehicles: a Chevy Impala and a Chevy S-10 Pickup at the same time. He liked buying from here a lot and suggested it. So your salesman today was Al Kloft, right? What did you think of him? First time we met him. We liked [...]

Recently Ford had quality studies performed by the 3rd party RDA Group that confirmed what we’ve always known … that Ford builds top-notch vehicles.  According to the results, Ford is even with Toyota in initial quality tests and they passed up Honda by a significant leap. The results show that in the first quarter of 2009, problems-per-vehicle dropped by 5% to compete head-to-head with Toyota and beating Honda. The latest GQRS survey measured 2009 model year vehicle initial quality in the number of “things gone wrong,” and customer satisfaction within the first three months of ownership. The following is a list of vehicles that were used in the tests and what was tested for each vehicle. • Ford Mustang- initial quality/customer satisfaction for sports cars • Ford Taurus – [...]

Today I had the privilege of getting to know Mike and Traci Hernandez from Dyersville, IA who purchased a vehicle from Runde’s today as I sat down for an interview with them. This fun family had a lot character so they fit in perfectly at our fun and active dealership. What did you guys come to Runde’s today for? For the purchase of a vehicle. The used Saturn Vue. How was your experience at Runde’s? It was one of the few times I had to buy a car in my life so I don’t have much to compare it to. It was good, no problems. Your sales-person was Al Kloft, what you think of Al? He likes to talk! He’s a pretty good guy, we like him. He’s always eager to please. So, what led you to Runde’s in the first place?

The Cortes family recently stopped into Runde’s and bought a GMC Acadia. They were kind enough to sit down with me for a quick interview explaining their experience at Runde’s. What brought you to Runde’s? We were interested in the GMC Acadia we saw advertised. How was the test drive? It drove great;  the GMC Acadia is a very nice looking vehicle. Al was your salesman … what did you think of him? He’s a good man, a nice guy, very helpful. Daughter: “A bad meanie boy – just kidding!” How would you guys rank Runde’s on a Scale of 1-10? Probably a high eight. What do you plan on doing with the new GMC Acadia? Travel and have fun. It’s an SUV – is it for storage at all? No, pretty much just for traveling – it’s bigger than our current car so if we needed to, we could use it for some storage. [...]

Some ideas are bound to become something great. Case-in-point – the Chevrolet Spark. The vehicle design was based on the Chevrolet Beat “concept car” which was voted most popular in comparison to three other “mini” cars. The car will come with a choice of 1 or 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine. It has a wheelbase of slightly over 93 inches and the vehicle measures 143 inches in length. Smaller than most “mini” cars out there, including the Honda Fit. Safety features will vary but will be expected to include: anti-lock brakes, front and side-air bags, as well as electronic stability control. The Chevrolet Spark will save you some green as the expected 47 miles-per-gallon is one of the best in the industry. I’m personally excited for the vehicle – it looks sleek, seems roomy, [...]

The Dubuque Art Center was making good use of the Runde service truck this week. I got a chance to do a question-answer session with Jordan DeGree, founder of the Dubuque Art Center, on his way out of the dealership with our community support vehicle. So Jordan, you are taking the Community support vehicle today, what are you planning on doing with it? Well, the Dubuque Art Center is moving into a new location – the first floor of the Platinum building at 137 Main street. As an art center, we have a lot of rather large equipment like pottery wheels, furniture, shelving… etc. — so having a large vehicle makes that move a whole  lot easier.

Bill Brosnahan, president and tournament director of the Walleye Anglers Trail, stopped by the Runde PreDriven Store near Dubuque today to talk fishing and to allow me to gain a better understanding of what’s W.A.T. Hello Bill, so I hear you have a big fishing event coming up, care to explain it a bit? Oh sure, the tournament circuit has been in existence since 1999. Now, there are four annual Walleye tournaments held on the Mississippi river … usually stretching from Genoa, WI to Albany, IL. How many people participate in the event? There are 35 teams as of today, it will probably get up to 40 teams before the Genoa tournament which takes place April 5th. Teams consist of two people, usually partners, friends, or father and son. The competitors can fish in three different pools in each area we go to.  

If you’ve been considering purchasing a new Chevy Traverse SUV, but you’re not quite ready to pull the trigger, please read the reviews and quotes below and maybe that’ll be enough to push you over the edge and take the plunge into the world of Chevy Traverse SUV owners. Autoblog:  “Unlike the Highlander, the Traverse actually has some usable space behind its third-row seat. Where the Traverse really shines is its driving dynamics.” Boston Globe:  “It’s sophisticated, yet friendly, edgy without being offensive -attractive.” NY Times:   “The Traverse‟s steering was more responsive than the Pilot‟s, and its shifts were smoother. While the Pilot felt like a big S.U.V., the Traverse acted like a particularly agile minivan —although G.M. has managed to keep the Traverse from looking like one.” Popular Mechanics:    “It looks great, it’s easy to use as a family hauler and, most important to us, it actually provides a rewarding experience from that left [...]

Check out the video below for the 2009 Traverse to see what critics are saying about the ’09 Traverse and some of its features.  The video was produced by Olli Sinno at Runde Chevrolet and I must say he did a nice job with it.  It definitely shows off the new Traverse in a very positive light.   The 2009 Traverse is already being touted as one of the best riding SUV’s on the market.  It definitely has the best cargo storage capacity of any vehicle in its class and it also has the ability to haul around your entire family safely and comfortably.  To get one of these sweet rides stop by Runde’s or call, toll free, 800-947-8633 and we will hook you up with one.

Dave Hoekstra drove from Chicago to the Dubuque area today to pick up his new truck at Runde Auto Group.  So I hear that you came from Chicago to be here today, how was the ride up here? It was good, left early enough – around 6,  it was quiet. Are you from Chicago? Well yea, just one town west of Chicago. How did you find Runde? After looking around for awhile I found Runde through AutoTrader. What were you looking for? I spotted the Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab so I called and Al Kloft of Runde PreDriven answered the phone. He was very nice and helped me throughout the whole process. That’s great to hear! So where in Chicago are [...]

It goes without saying that families want to be assured their loved ones will be protected in the event of a vehicle collision.  Well, Ford Motor Company has developed an insert to measure abdominal injuries on a crash-test dummy that represents a 6-year-old. Made out of silicone, the test dummy is made to study the effects of seat belts in auto accidents. “The major focus [of crash tests] has always been on head and chest injuries,”Ford safety engineer Steve Rouhana said. “We really didn’t have the technology before to accurately measure abdominal response.” Current tests use seat-belts that may be too large for children that have grown out of a child-safety seats (usually around the age of 8). The new silicone dummy can measure the penetration of the seat belts going into the child’s abdomen. Ford studies the results and looks to improve seat-belt designs. In addition, Ford is offering the technology to other manufacturers [...]

Following a seemingly satisfying vehicle purchase Jon and Stacy Nash, of Clinton Iowa, gave me the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Below is a transcript of a conversation filled with laughs and smiles.  They are really an awesome, easy-going couple. Hey guys, what are you doing here at Runde’s today? Oh, we just bought a Chevy Tahoe – we saw it listed on autotrader.com then called up and talked to Al who set everything up for us. Al Kloft of Runde Predriven? He’s a character isn’t he? Ha ha, definitely. He’s very nice, a great person. Ah, so what made you interested in the Tahoe? Well we needed a used vehicle that had a bit more room than the two door cars we have to accommodate our family. Do you have kids? Yeah, we have a 20 year old that works, a 14 year old that is in high school and [...]

How awesome would it be if you had a teacher in high school that let you play games in class? In a society being driven by a formula of technology and entertainment, it is important to teach our kids with something that integrates this formula to interact and visually communicate with our kids. The “Activboard”, by Promethean, is a perfect solution for the seamless integration of fun and technology in the classroom. These boards are a fully interactive and totally immersive means to teaching using an up-to-date and involving method of course structure. Runde is helping out in this exciting new way of teaching by donating the money needed to purchase one of these boards to the East Dubuque High School. Students at the East Dubuque High School can claim as to how “awesome” it is to play with the board as they have had one for about a year and a half now. According to [...]

The sixth annual Ice Golf Classic at Midtown Marina was a huge success according to Sandy McDowell, owner of the Marina.  Naked babies flinging arrows at lovers and enough “love” in the air to make Romeo sick didn’t stop people from smacking around tennis balls while playing golf on the ice.   The tournament was originally mapped out in 2004 by a group of men from the area, named the A.M. Hacker, who were just not satisfied by the restrictions winter seemed to place on their golf game. The group got together and started the Ice Golf Classic event shortly after they realized that they could raise money for a good cause while giving people the time of their lives as they play golf on the [...]

Becky Kuhl who works in the upstairs office of Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque was kind enough to give us a little of her time and a little insight into what makes her tick.  It’s been said here at Runde’s that Becky is “so very Mary Tyler Moore”.   You can be the judge as you checkout what she had to say:   What do you do here at Runde’s?   I am the Incentive Administrator for Runde Chevrolet. Basically, I report to GM the new Chevrolet units that are sold and then I apply for the correct incentives for each model. For some customer rebates, certain documents are required. I’m the one who ensures that customers present us with the proper documentation at the time of the sale.  [...]

Check out the most recent reviews from Runde Customers. These reviews come from a variety of sources. Some are from reviews that customers posted online and others are from surveys that were mailed out to customers.  Whatever the case, it seems the word on the street about Runde’s is all good.   My fiance, Don Stadel bought his new truck at Runde’s last October or November …. Looking forward to doing more business with Runde’s…We were so pleased with your service and honesty. It was nice to work with such an awesome team….Don was a Ford man and I changed his mind….CHEVY IS THE BEST !!!! and he is so pleased of his choice….we do BRAG on the choice that we have made….. [...]

American auto makers have been thrown under the bus quite frequently over the last few months by members of the media and by members of Congress.  However, Runde Auto Group urges you to seek out factual information about the American auto makers before casting judgment.  Please take a few minutes to look over this brief quiz to see how much you’re actually aware of! QUESTIONS: 1. What country builds vehicles that occupy two of the top three spots for long-term reliability? Germany Japan Korea United States 2.  As of August ’07, which manufacturer had the most recalls in the U.S. that year? Chrysler Ford GM Nissan Toyota Volkswagen 3.  What brand in this group has the highest initial quality?                 Acura  Chevrolet  BMW Mazda 4.  Which of the following mid-size sedans has the highest initial quality? Accord (Honda) Altima (Nissan) Camry (Toyota) Malibu (Chevrolet) 5.  Which of the following pickups has the highest initial quality? [...]

We received the following note of thanks this week from the daughter of one of our newest customers … Barbara Schroeder.   We just want to let you now we are so happy with our mother’s purchase.  Wayne Konrardy of your Dubuque area store was great.    Our mother (Barbara Schroeder) was in a car accident and totaled her Chevrolet Malibu which she had purchased through Wayne, and we were able to have Wayne help us again to get her another Malibu which she really wanted because she really liked her other one.   Wayne was great with MOM and made her feel great even though it was a bad situation.  He was able to get her into something 4 years newer and very close in options plus she got heated seats and [...]

Check out this Suzuki Equator walkaround video that was filmed at Runde Auto Group in Hazel Green, WI.  This black Equator is a truck that is sure to turn some heads. The dictionary defines “equator” as an imaginary line that goes around the circumference of the earth. Suzuki defines “Equator” as a non-imaginary truck that will take you practically anywhere you’d like to go on earth. Check out the new Suzuki Equator that recently arrived at Runde Suzuki in Hazel Green, WI:   Equipped with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 152 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque or a 4.0-liter V-6 that puts out an impressive 261 hp and 281 lb-ft. 7-year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Available with the RMZ-4 Off-Road Package. Tows up to 6500 lbs. Kelly Blue Book could hardly believe all that the new Equator has to offer. Check out what they recently had to say about it … [...]

Danica Patrick is now being told to “slow down,” but it’s definitely not coming from her sponsors. It turns out that Danica was recently pulled over for speeding in her hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.  She was charged with going 54 mph in a 35 mph zone.  She paid the fine of $196 and then went on her merry way. In light of some of the things other celebrities and athletes are getting in trouble for these days, I would say that Danica’s offense is a minor one.  I’m sure that the negative publicity will serve more of a reminder for her to slow down on the suburban streets of America than the $196 ticket ever could. My three year old always wants me to go fast when I’m taking him to daycare in the morning, but I always respond by saying, “No, we have to drive slow and watch out for puppies.”   Sometimes it might be tempting to [...]

We all knew that once the world oil prices started to plummet, fuel prices would soon follow.   It’s nice to finally look up at gas station signs and see  numbers that don’t begin with “3” or “4” as the national average for gas is now at $1.67 a gallon.  Certainly no one is complaining about the current prices after what Americans painfully paid at the pumps for most  of 2008.  In light of all that’s going on in the world right now, it’s definitely nice to have some economic relief somewhere.  With Americans now bragging about how little they paid during their last trip to the pump, truck and SUV sales are appearing like they will be higher than car sales once the ’08 December totals are all [...]

More than 335,000 Americans are employed by the Big 3 Automakers in our country, and Runde Auto Group employs over 120 people in the Tri-State Area. One out of ten people in America are employed in a service that is related to the U.S. auto industry. Please show your support:   and select “I’m a Concerned American” or call: (866) 874-9356!   Imagine what the lack of competition will do the the cost of your next vehicle….no matter what the make is.  The lack of any new domestic makes, will force Americans to buy new imports or used vehicles.  Every American should ask themselves: Will I have to wait longer for my new vehicle because there is a backorder on parts for it?  Will I have to pay substantially more than the suggested list price or book value because of a possible vehicle shortage?   If we were to lose the Big 3, [...]

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, and you all know what that means…TURKEY!!  Ms. Donna Ginter, a resident of Dubuque, is about to have her 47th annual FREE Thanksgiving dinner. It will be held at the Dubuque Knights of Columbus on Locust Street. Every year, Ms. Ginter and many volunteers cook SEVENTY 25-pound turkeys and 6 different kinds of salad.  They also buy dinner rolls and pies to feed those less-fortunate or shut-in people in the community. Last year’s meal fed about 2,400 people. Ms. Ginter had about approximately 260 volunteers.  They used 75 cars to deliver meals and they went through 57 turkeys. She organizes 2 festivals during the year (Catfish Festival and Riverfest), and is a food vendor at Dubuquefest. The money she makes at her booth is used to fund the Thanksgiving dinner. She also receives donations throughout the year from people and businesses. This year is a special one for [...]

The Runde PreDriven dealership up by the Three Mile House Supper Club has a new vehicle on the premises: the Suzuki Carry. Imported from Japan, these quality off-road 4WD mini-trucks can be used in the United States as farm utility vehicles, ranch trucks, and hunting vehicles. They can be used on golf courses, in parks, at campgrounds, resorts, schools, municipalities, for nursery/landscaping businesses and more. The uses for these tough little trucks are seemingly endless. Right now only used ones can be purchased in the US. New ones haven’t been mass-imported to the US yet, but if they do ever get here in large numbers, watch out for the Carry! The Carry is used to haul our water tanks for washing vehicles and other equipment needed on the lot. The Carry [...]

Dale Bird was in our dealership waiting for his vehicle to get finished in service. I stole a few minutes of his time to discuss his experience with Runde’s. Runde Auto Chat: What kind of vehicle are you having serviced? Is it a routine appointment? Dale Bird: It’s a Chevy Impala. It just needed an oil change. RAC: Did you buy the vehicle at Runde Chevrolet? DB: Yes, I bought it new here. RAC: Have you bought any other vehicles from us? DB: Yes, probably about 4 or 5. RAC: What do you appreciate most about Runde’s and how they do business? DB: It’s convenient. I live about 2 miles from here in Dubuque. RAC: Do you have any children or grandchildren? DB: We have 3 boys, and 2 grandchildren: 1 boy and 1 girl. They live in Indianapolis, Indiana. RAC: What kinds of activities are they involved in? DB: Lots of sports, but [...]