Arrow History

 

 

 

It all started in 1963 when H.S. (Higg) Higginbotham tried to buy Western Chevrolet from his mentor Jack Hughes. The Chevy Corporation said "No" they wanted to sell it to a factory guy; he could have one somewhere else. But his love for Abilene wouldn't let him move so he partnered with Lynn Lee and on June 5th of 1964 purchased McIlwain Ford and bled Ford Blue from then on. Their first task as partners was to come up with a name and sitting in the Walgreen soda fountain they pondered the problem. Knowing they couldn't afford a sign with 19 letters "Higginbotham Lee Ford" they settled on "Arrow" and the name just worked. They started branding their company right away with a contest to name their mascot. The winning name was…. Little Chief "TP" (Total Performance). It was a perfect fit as their vision was to provide total service to all their customers. They were passionate about the business and made it fun for the customers and the employees. They once cut a deal with Ford when mustangs were hot and hard to get for 20 pink mustangs, needless to say that wasn't one of their "Better Ideas," but they did do a radio spot with Slim Willet) there they got people to honk their horns when they drove by the dealership trying to get the dealership's glass windows to break.

Higg believed in selling new Fords but realized that lots of people couldn't afford one, after all a new F-100 did cost $1695, so he grew his used car operation by setting up multiple used car locations through out the city to make it convenient for his customers. At one point there were 5 lots, but it wasn't just about selling cars to Higg; it was about service. Arrow has always had it's Service Department open on Saturday and always had a wrecker, a Body Shop, and a Rent Car department. They even provided driver training cars for the AISD. It was a total vision of customer service which has lasted the test of time. Higg always saw his role as a job provider, and he constantly looked for new ways to give people a better life. He loved and rewarded his employees as family. He also believed in partnership and this, coupled with his passion to provide jobs, led him to help others succeed. He created an owner/operator model that gave rise to Star Lincoln Mercury Dodge and Heritage Cadillac, in Abilene, Village Lincoln Mercury Dodge in Midland, Alpha Dodge in Wichita Falls, El Reno Ford in Oklahoma and Sun Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Odessa. 

H.S. Higginbotham (Higg) created Arrow for more than one reason. It wasn't just to create jobs and help others succeed, it was also for his family. Seaton Higginbotham joined the firm after graduating from Texas Tech in 1974, Dale Higginbotham graduated from Texas Tech in 1975 and also joined the firm. They both started in Service, which Higg believed was important to Arrow's Philosophy. Dale soon assumed the role of General Manager of Heritage Cadillac, later becoming the Parts and Service Coordinator at Arrow. Vinson, Higg's third son, joined the firm in 1984 and also assumed the role of Service Manager, later overseeing all the properties of Arrow Ford and becoming its Vice President. The lines between family and employee blur when it comes to Arrow. At any given time, you will find employees in their 70's and 80's still working away and still making a contribution to Arrow's mission.

Seaton's first service program was Damsels in Distress established in 1975. A program headed up by Albert Wilson and taken over by Johnny Black in 1988. These two men helped thousand of stranded "Damsels" by towing them anywhere they wanted to go in Abilene free of charge, 24/7. Seaton assumed the role of General Manger for Arrow Ford in 1978 and continued the family's commitment to Abilene by being elected to the Abilene City Council and numerous boards and committees including the Abilene Industrial Foundation, "Water Now", and President of Abilene Crime Stoppers.The Little Chief "TP" slogan was replaced in 1975 with "Under the Big American Flag". After being remodeled, Arrow's new home at 4001 S. First raised it's first American flag, a 20x30 foot beauty, to better depict Arrow's commitment to country.  A theme which runs as true today as it did then. 

Our kids are the key to the future and Arrow has always tried to impact their lives. They opened Arrow Ford in Safety City in 1981 to help third graders learn vehicular and pedestrian safety. Later, Arrow created computer games for 3rd graders to help promote safety and to educate them on Abilene, Ford, and Arrow. The oil bust of the early eighties brought tough times to a lot of Big Country folks. To meet the need, Seaton opened up the Loan Arranger in 1987, offering financing to those the banks would not help. Seaton proudly put the Arrow name on it. Arrow has been helping people get back the life style they deserve through programs like "ReCreditPair", Guaranteed Credit Approval, and Vanishing Interest Rates ever since. Arrow's Loan Arranger just recently moved to 3951 South First, just down the road from the main location.  Arrow added Mitsubishi to it's line of vehicles in 1989 and celebrated it's 25th anniversary on October 16th. From the Eclipse to the Mirage to the Outlander, this quality import has added intrigue, fun and depth to the Arrow product line.  Arrow also owned Hyundai, Mazda, and Fiat at one time.

Arrow continued to grow and in 1995 employed a hard working team of over 150. This team ended the year with 5071 vehicle sales totaling 34.4% of the Taylor County registrations, and ranked in the Top 10 in used car sales in the state. Arrow was truly becoming "The Right Choice".

The Right Choice slogan was the brainstorm of Mari Kay Morrison who joined the team in 1993. Shortly thereafter in 1995, Arrow set out on its 2nd remodel project. The focus was on the customer; consultation centers replaced desks, the service drive was expanded and the parts warehouse was doubled in size, last but not least a finance and delivery showroom were created and customers started driving their vehicles off the showroom floor. 

It has always been about the customer experience at Arrow and the power of the employee to give the customer what came to be known as the "I CAN ATTITUDE". Seaton was heavily influenced by Zig Ziglar and his approach to life. Seaton had his team bring an empty green bean can and a stack of magazines to a leadership meeting, where he had them cut out eyes from the magazines and paste them on the can; hence the "I Can". This pencil holder sat on their desks to remind them of the vision. The "I Can" philosophy had many spin-offs from "I Can" Kids created to promote reading at a mock town at Thomas Elementary where 5th graders are interviewed and "hired" to run the Arrow, "I Can" store, to an "I Can" sales days campaign that had employees performing whimsical skits to promote the vision. 

At Arrow its all about Partnership, not only between its' employees and customers but also within the community. In 1998, Arrow partnered with KTXS TV, KEAN Radio, and the Abilene Reporter News to recognize the people who teach, mentor, and lead our children. TEACHER TRIBUTE gives students the chance to say "Thank You" to the teachers who have inspired them the most. Then in 1999, Arrow partnered with Cumulus Radio, KTXS TV, and Love and Care Ministries to help the homeless in Abilene. Celebrating its 16th year in 2014, MISSION THANKSGIVING collected over 11.5 semi-trucks of food and clothing and over $200,000 in cash for the needy.

                                                          

September 11, 2011 hit Seaton hard. He recalls watching the towers fall with his two daughters in his office and shortly thereafter they lowered their 20 x 30 foot flag, and holding it out stretched sent a message of support to the President and the men and women you gave their lives that mournful day. That loss continues to shape Arrow and its beliefs to this day. Seaton turned his service leadership to his industry at the turn of the century, working on the HSBC Dealer Council to help create indirect dealer finance programs, and Zurich Insurance Dealer Council to develop a national sub prime program to help customers that banks were unwilling to finance. Seaton also served as the 2006 Chairman for the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. As Chairman, he represented 1,400 Texas dealers at both the state and national level.

Arrow continued to grow its used car operation by improving locations and growing its staff. Discount Center's "Bargain Ben Bubba" became a household name along with Program Car Center and Special Finance 1 and 2.  Then in 2003 Seaton added the Chrysler & Jeep franchise to its line  up of vehicles. Located next to the Ford store it was perfectly positioned and saw Arrow Chrysler Jeep became a 5 star Dealer and ranked in the top 10% nationally in its customer satisfaction. At the beginning of the Great Recession, Arrow's Team had grown to over 200 employees but that was not to continue.