This view is probably too US-centric. There is a lot of the world (including developed world), where people get around everyday without relying on cars for ever

This view is probably too US-centric. There is a lot of the world (including developed world), where people get around everyday without relying on cars for everything. I do not negate your point that marketing has a strong component of creating a need where there isn't one. But, its success in doing so relies on a strong combination of cultural, economic and political backgrounds.