Following your comment I think it is important to point out that it is not an either or type of scenario. Both could easily be true. There are powerful interests attempting to ensure that their business model remains viable ( if necessary, at the cost of other modes of transportation ), there are various ideological interests that see future as carless or largely the same ( just powered by different technology ), there are various cultural influences, decades of advertising and geographical considerations. In other words, people of America preferences ( if there is such a monolith ) are considered, but I am relatively certain they are not a primary driver. At best, they are one of many factors.