Runde Auto Chat

Pigs must have learned how to fly... this car is driving itself! Don't throw out the "yep, crazy" card, yet, as Ford has made the most frustrating and feared part of Drivers Ed and every day driving a breeze. Parallel parking is forced to dethrone itself from the "champion of driving challenges" when facing the new Fords that come with Active Park Assist. Ford Park Assist is a hands free technology that uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculating the perfect steering angle and quickly steering the vehicle into a parking spot at the touch of a button. Here's how you'll be using it:

• You will activate the system by pressing the park assist button on the instrument panel. This activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a reasonable parallel parking space.
• The steering system will take over and will steer the car into the parking space without you having to even touch the steering wheel.
• Although hands free, you will be prompted to shift the transmission and operate the gas and brake pedals.
• Visual and audible cues will prompt you about your proximity to other cars, objects and people and will provide instructions to avoid accidents.
• While the steering is all done automatically, you remain responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.

Pretty cool, huh?

The little green leaf's rate your ideal driving progress. The more leaf's that fill up, the better you are doing. "][/caption] Park Assist is part of Ford’s advanced EPAS technology. In addition to helping with parallel parking, EPAS will include EcoMode Driver Assist on future 2012 vehicles, with the 2012 Ford Focus being the first announced to support the feature. EcoMode monitors engine rpm, vehicle speed, accelerator position, clutch position, selected gear and engine temperature and saves this information to compare the driving habits of the driver over time with the aim to improve those habits. EcoMode awards improvements with congratulatory messages and gives out trophies for vast improvements. Cars that drive themselves and encourage you to drive better, who would have thought? Thomas Schick, an engineer with the Ford of Germany Core Vehicle Integration team who helped design the software did. He comments; "The foot of the driver has one of the biggest impacts on real-world fuel economy of a vehicle and was the starting point for the development of EcoMode.This is a useful tool that creates awareness between personal behavior and fuel consumption and offers up hints on how to improve. Applying those hints and recommendations is all up to the driver."

A sofa has never seen this much attention since the friend who said he'd "only-stay-for-a-week-and-would-just-bum-on-your-couch" and-ended-up-staying-for-a-year, scenario happened. Suzuki got their creative gears grinding and created a slew of interesting and funny commercials in their new advertising campaign. Basically it take's their greatly reviewed and over-all great car, the Kizashi, faces it off versus a competitor in its class and then against a ridiculous opponent, like, say a bubble wrapped suit:

 At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show Suzuki took one of its ridiculous competitors and brought it with them for the crowed to physically and personally compare the two. It turned a lot of heads and had people wondering what the heck a '70's sofa was doing at an auto show? This bad boy was fully operational, and seemed to go pretty fast... for a sofa.

Here's some official specs (from Suzuki) the sofa offered to show off to curious inquisitors: "This 1970s-era sofa commissioned by American Suzuki retains its original synthetic trim finished in a fashionable tan and brown plaid motif. The sofa is complete with small tears and frayed stitching to meet Suzuki's overall design intent. The sofa also features a variety of loose coins, cookie crumbs and pocket lint resting just beneath the seat cushions. The steering wheel is comfortably positioned at the center of the sofa, making ingress and egress easy for passengers looking to accompany the driver on casual journeys. The throttle pedal is unmistakable in that it features a custom bare foot shape finished in chrome-plated metal with black accents."

Steven Younan, director of marketing and product planning for American Suzuki Automotive Operations adds, "We knew our Kizashi would prevail against this formidable competitor. It was just a matter of proving it on the blacktop."

Check out the famous Suzuki Couch Commercial below as well as another hilarious commercial from their "vs." campaign, the Kizashi vs. a Limousine:

Since we are on the topic of funny video's and Suzuki, check out their Super Bowl Commercial which pits Suzuki versus a fleet of evil and angry snowmen.

And no, this does not mean that if you get a Kizashi a horde of evil snowmen will be trying to take you out... but if that were to happen, you will be well prepared because you are in a Kizashi.

Troy and April Hutson drove a long way this past week to come and buy their new truck from Runde Chevrolet. In the time between signing paperwork and starting out for home, they were benevolent enough to give us a little extra time to ask them some questions about their lives and about their recent experience at Runde's.

What kind of vehicle did you buy?
We bought a new 2011 Silverado 2500 HD.

You’re from Sandwich, IL – how far is that from Runde’s?
It's about 180 miles and it took us almost three hours to get here.

Have you always lived in that area?
Troy: I have. I was born in Sandwich and pretty much lived there my whole life.
April: I wasn't born in Sandwich, but I've lived in that area most of my life. 

It's the biggest county fair in the state of Illinois -- we go to it every year. What do you do for a living there?
Troy: I work for a ... basically like a farm services place.
A co-op?
Right. It's an independant fertilizer dealership. April: I work for an insurance company.

Do you want to throw out any shouts about your companies to advertise them. April: No.(laughing) Troy: (also laughing)They're probably a little too far away to do any good.

Do you have kids?
Paxton is our daughter -- she's 11 and Garrett is our son -- he's 9.

Any pets?
We have a cat and a dog ... our dog is a boxer/pit mix.

Sounds like a very muscular dog.
Yep, his name is Ranger and he's actually a big baby ... a big lap dog.

Do you have a favorite hang-out spot in Sandwich or the surrounding area?
We don't really have a hang out spot. I'd have to say our house.

If you could own your dream vehicle, what would that be?
Troy: My dream vehicle actually would be a Chevy Suburban 3/4-ton four-wheel-drive.
April: I'd just say the most expensive BMW.[

What’s your favorite restaurant and how often do you eat there?
Bianchi's Pizza Place in Ottowa, IL. It's a little bit south of Sandwich and we try to get there when we can.

When you have supper at home, is it definitely “table time” or is it head-to-the-living-room-time and all is well as long as no one spills on the couch or carpet?
Table time.
 

If someone does spill something on the floor at your house, do you handle it calmly with a Martha Stewart type voice or do you fly off the handle like Sam Kinnison would? April: No comment (laughs).
Troy: I guess that could go either way. It depends on the situation and if they were horsing around or if it was a legitimate accident.

Favorite movie of all-time?
April: The Notebook.
Troy: Smokey and the Bandit I guess, but it's not quite the same when they edit it for TV.

What did you think of the Super Bowl?
We wanted Pittsburg to win - not the Packers. We're Bears fans and we're waiting for next season.

What did you think about Jay Cutler not playing the whole game in the NFC Championship game against the Packers?
game. I mean if he was really hurt bad, that's one thing. Looked like he was walking pretty good a couple days lated when the news showed him shopping out in California with his girlfriend. It didn't look like he was limping too bad. It ain't the end of the world, we're used to it. I guess it's kind of like rooting for the Cubs (laughs).

Have any special plans yet for Valentines Day?
No, not really.

Will you go out on an actual “date”?
Oh, we might.

Can you tell us how and when you met?
Troy: Technically the first time we met was at my house, but she had a boyfriend at that time. And the next time we met, believe or not, was in a bank parking lot.

Is there anything else you'd like to add about your experience here?
Well we found your trucks on AutoTrader and we called up. I was originally thinking about buying a used truck, but we ended up with a new truck. We got along with your salesman (Al Kloft) so well that we didn't mind driving the three hours to get here. We're glad we found Runde's and very happy with our new truck.

What's bold, mean, muscular, classy and safe? If you are thinking Vin Diesel (which would have been my guess if I wasn't writing this) then we are not on the same page. This is an automotive blog, not the latest action movie review site. No, the elegant beasts I'm referring to are the 2011 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

These are the King-Kong(s) that never feel off the skyscraper, glued to their paths with no obstacles getting in their way.  When seeing one of these vehicles, most people can't help but put all thought aside, look, drool slightly and say (even if it is internally) "sweeeeeet". But with looks and power all in check, what about safety? If you asked me that question when the previous generation builds were out I could only respond with mediocrity. Ask me now and I will scream from the roof-tops "Best Ever!" and elaborate my yelling with an explanation of how they have earned the absolute top spot at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Chrysler now holds seven Top Safety Pick ratings from the IIHS for their 2011 vehicles which makes labels them, to me, as a safety authority of the road.

Nan Connolly is originally from Dubuque. She recently built and moved into a house just outside of East Dubuque, IL. She came into Runde's looking for a new Chevy to replace her vehicle. While she was here, she sat down and shared her experience with us.

What brought you into Runde's today?
Probably advertising and I knew I wanted a Chevy when I was shopping. I was looking around and Runde's seemed to have the best deal.

What vehicle did you end up going with?
The 2010 Chevy Impala, I like it. My other car kind of gave up so I said "it's time." I have grand-kids and I like this car because of the fact that it's very safe.

Is the car for you?
Yes. My husband is more of a truck guy, but we needed a car.

How long have you been married?
40 years.

Great! What did you think of your salesman, Al Kloft?
He's REALLY good! He came right up to us when we got here and made us feel comfortable, as if we were at home. He isn't pushy, he's nice and he really knows what he's talking about. He listens, too. I told him what I was driving and that I wanted something similar and he pieced all the puzzle pieces together and got us a great match.

On a scale of 1-10 what would you rank your experience at Runde's?
10. No question. 10 all the way around.

How are you liking Winter?
It's... ok... it hasn't been TOO bad. I hate winter though and wanted to make sure that I had a reliable vehicle for it.

Do you have any pets?
I have two dogs - one's a Shih Tzu mix and the other is a Blue Heeler, one's a small dog one's a bit bigger.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
We get out a lot. We like to get with friends. I like to curl up next to the fireplace and read. I also crochet and go fishing with my husband.

What kind of movies do you like?
Mostly comedies.

What's your favorite movie?
Pirates of the Caribbean. The first one is the best, it was the funniest I think.

They are actually making a new one... I thought it was supposed to be a trilogy but I guess they figured they can milk more money out of it.
Yeah, I'm going to go see that... now I have to add more to my collection!

If you were to win the lottery what would you do with the money?
I'd probably share the wealth with my family then make a lot of charitable contributions. I'd save a lot of little starving animals!

Would you go anywhere if you had money remaining?
Yes. Ireland and Alaska. I just want to see them, learn the country and soak it all up. If I went I'd go for a while, it wouldn't be any short trip.

That's all the questions I had for you Nan, thank you so much for sharing a bit of your life with us.
We were both really pleased with our experience at Runde's, thank you!