Runde Auto Chat

Crusin' down the road, windows down, music up, you are in the "zone" with this sweet new track playin' on the radio. You start trying to sing parts of the chorus, and completely butcher the rest of the song. Full of emotion, you utter slightly slurred words mixed with gibberish to comprise what would surely amount to a migraine for anyone unfortunate enough to be in the same car with you.

You get to the end of the song and look forward to the radio announcer revealing the name of the song and artist so you can download it on iTunes later. But what the...the announcer reveals the details of the song you loved so dearly while your friend was yelling at you to get him some aspirin.

Dang it all to heck! You missed it all and end up going into a major state of depression because you still don't know the name of that song... If only there was a feature that lets you record, let's say, oh... the last 20 minutes of music so you could re-listen to it and pick up anything you might have missed.

Wh-heh-ell, if GM isn't on top of their game bringing things from our dreams into a usable, tangible technology. With the Pause and Play Radio, you can save up to 20 minutes of whatever you are listening to on the radio, even XM or Sirius to an internal hard drive. The radio feature is currently built into the Chevy Equinox and Buick LaCrosse and it will also be implemented in the upcoming Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze (cool!)

In a followup to yesterday's announcement of the Buick Regal, today Buick released pricing for the vehicle. Initially, the Regal will only be offered in the Premium CXL model with other trim models to be offered in the 2012 model year. The Premium CXL model start at $29,495 including a $750 destination charge and includes the following:

• Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
• Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
• Both engines have six-speed automatic transmission standard with Driver Shift Control (DSC)
• Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
• MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
• Class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System is available with the 2.0L turbo.

Some more standard and optional features include:

• Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
• Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
• Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; and available rear-seat thorax air bags
• Available navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system, and internal flash drive (1GB)
• Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch aluminum wheels come with available Interactive Drive Control on the 2.0L turbo)
• Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth for phone capability; i-Pod auxiliary jack and USB port; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar

The regal will go on sale in the U.S. around the beginning of the second quarter (around March). It looks like a good deal considering how much is put into the car. Buick's vision of rebuilding their image is coming along nicely with sharp looks and great modern features in their recent "new old model car" remakes. Before I go, I'll leave you with this pricing guide released from Buick that shows the prices of the rest of the models as well as a comparison to the LaCrosse.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z_Fhkz8Db4]

What's that? "That's not new you dork!" you say? Well you know what I mean... new as in new model... get off my back, geesh. And as much as they have changed in it, it might as well be a different model all-together. Stay tuned for more information about the NEW Regal in the near future.

If you keep up to date with what's going on in the vehicle industry you probably know that the GM CEO, Frederick 'Fritz' Henderson has resigned within the last couple of weeks. Ed Whitacre, who was the chairman of the board at GM, is taking the role as interim CEO.

The search for a new CEO began almost immediately after Henderson resigned. Spencer Stuart, from Headhunting Firm, was put in charge of finding the new GM CEO. Without a doubt , the search can't be easy for Stuart. The qualifications required to be the CEO of one of the most recognized companies in the world undoubtedly amounts to no small checklist. GM wants someone who is "globally minded" having "extensive global, manufacturing and turnaround" experience.

To help him out, people have been making some pretty awesome suggestions... Here's some of the best (top 10) suggestions for the new GM CEO that people have suggested:

1. Sarah Palin.

2. The Stig (The masked racing driver on the BBC show Top Gear).

3. The Former ShamWOW Guy.

4. Myself.

5. Pamela Anderson

(Baywatch was one of the most globally watched shows ever. A globally marketed image is right up her alley -- David Hasselhoff just missed making our list. *Note -- it is very challenging finding an image of Pamela where she is wearing clothes over 60% of her body). 

6. Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft).

7. Mark Zuckerberg (Co-Founder of Facebook).

8.Martha Stewart.

9. "Neo" from the Matrix trilogy.

10. The Terminator.

Some great suggestions floating out there... if only we could see GM led by the mother of crafts and home decor... we would see vehicles in every color of the pantone book and vehicle options that include useful things like toaster ovens, rear hanging Venetial blinds, and a sewing machine with an optional 2nd sewing pedal next to the brake pedal. If you can think of better candidates let's hear 'em!

We give you two of Runde's newest customers: The Sefziks

Where are you originally from?

Epworth/Dubuque.

What kind of vehicle did you buy?

Buick LeSabre 2000 Custom.

That's a well-built car -- I like those too.

Where is the first place you’ll take your new vehicle?

Madison – To go to the granddaughter’s musical program. Both of our granddaughters play hockey and softball so we’ll be going to those games as well.

Will you give your new vehicle a name?

No! We already have a car that we named “plastic car,” but that will be the extent of it.

What was the first car you bought?

1964 Chevy Impala SS 4 speed.

Another well-built car -- definitely not a plastic car... What’s the best thing about your new ride?

The ride, comfort, and the fuel economy.

Do you have a favorite hang-out spot in the area?

The Elmo Club in Cuba City because it is family-oriented and the atmosphere is great. We like their popcorn too.

What is your favorite place to go to for a scenic drive in the area?

Balltown & Sherrill because it has beautiful scenery.

Favorite movie?

Any old western.

Favorite actor or actress? John Wayne “of course” One invention you couldn’t live without?

Computers – because there wouldn’t be as many jobs in the U.S. without them.

Burger King or McDonalds? Neither.

Thin Mints or Junior Mints? Thin Mints.

Bears, Packers, or Vikings? Packers.

Los Angeles or New York? L.A.

John F Kennedy or Ronald Reagan?

Steve: John Kennedy Carol: Reagan

If you were a vehicle, what vehicle would you want to be and why?

Buick – they go to better homes and their owners usually take good care of them. Or a VW convertible because they are fun cars.

Will your kids/grandkids be allowed to eat or drink in your new vehicle?

“That’s a tough one!” -- probably not, because they are picky, messy eaters!”

What’s your most memorable experience in a car or truck?

With a ’64 Chevy: We just started dating and pulled over to change our tire, but we ended up getting stuck in the mud!

What’s in the CD player of your car right now?

We listen to 99.3 – Dyersville. We don’t listen to CD’s.

Do you consider the glass half-full or half empty?

Half full.

Where is the first place you will travel to when you win the lottery?

Australia or Africa.

How would you rate your car buying experience with Runde Auto Group? Excellent, Good, or SoSo?

Excellent. No one was pushy and everything went smooth. Sara was excellent.