Confession #25: A Chevy and a Nissan are trendier than a Bentley

2011 Chevrolet Volt (General Motors photo)

While I've been gone – and in a state where the Chevrolet Volt has yet to go on sale – Santa Barbara has become the Volt capital of the world.

Considering it's a coastal town in California, the acceptance of one of the greenest things on wheels shouldn't be surprising. But remember, Santa Barbara has one of the most expensive zip codes in the country. Oprah lives around the corner from one of my high school friends' house. Rob Lowe is an accessory figure to the downfall of the local newspaper. (No, no, I'm not going there.)

That's why I'm surprised that in the first two weeks I've been back home, I've seen six Volts. Pretty much one for every color they're offered in. And only one had dealer plates. That means the few that are trickling out of the plant are going to real customers.