40 Under 40

When customers first meet Savannah Simms, they are sometimes taken aback by her age and gender as general manager of Volvo Palo Alto and McLaren San Francisco.

“The first time I talk to them, sometimes they’re shocked, but after that, it’s smooth sailing,” said the dealership executive. “The initial shock when you reach to shake their hand is definitely there.”

Simms is working toward normalizing women as part of the auto work force as vice president of Price Family Women’s Circle. The group offers woman-to-woman mentorships, personal training, a book club and regular meetings to promote employee retention and growth.

“I’m competing with a lot of these tech companies for talent,” Simms said. “So how do I inspire young women to see the opportunity in this industry that my grandmother did.”

A third-generation woman in the auto retail world, Simms has immersed herself in trends driving the industry, specifically vehicle electrification and the evolution of the traditional sales model.

After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a marketing degree, Simms led the sales team at one of the first Polestar dealerships in the nation, Polestar Marin, starting in September 2020.

“This was the first business model of its kind,” she said. “So it was very interesting to take what I had grown up around in our traditional dealer model and do a hybrid sales approach where a manufacturer is far more involved.” 

Simms believes that her age was an advantage in this endeavor. “I was able to see things through a fresh set of eyes and remain open-minded through the various challenges we faced,” she said.

During her time at Polestar Marin, sales rose from six vehicles a month to more than 50 on average. Last October, Simms was promoted to the combined Volvo and McLaren store, overseeing two prestige brands.

“Aside from cars, I enjoy making art and getting some sunshine,” she said. “I love any chance to get out on the water and go fishing with my family.”

— Laurence Iliff