A car should always be a major consideration for someone's needs. Especially if you have a family with young children or are disabled. Discounting cars as useless because mass transit exists is a terrible idea.
Walkable towns and cities should always be a major consideration for human needs. Especially because most people go through stages in their lives of themselves being young children, sickness, injury, having young children, ageing and losing ability with age in a way that isn't traditionally considered 'disabled' but functionally is. Relying on being able to afford and drive a car as a neccessary part of life is a terrible idea.
Even in Japan there are plenty of places that public transit does not reach. Or, public transport is incredibly rare.(eg: Only one bus in the morning and afternoon, and nothing else.)
Walkable "towns" stop working when you need to leave town.
I do not have a car, because I do not need one. The same does not apply to my friend who is a forester.
Transit options are a major consideration, and cars are absolutely part of that. They aren't cheap, and assuming it's just a car company issue is daft and disrespectful.