yes, i agree. i think it is a cultural characteristic.it would be very hard to get us americans to change this.but you know what? probably, in the future, americans will have to change.
americans love cars for different reasons, i think.one reason is that we are very individualistic.and cars are a very individual way of getting around.americans like the freedom of driving around by themselves.they don't want to ride in a train or bus with a group of people.