Some numbers to back up youth marketing

In a story more about the trend of teens owning cars as it relates to safety comes this intriguing number: 41 percent of people between 16 and 19 years of age own cars. Own cars. That's up from 23 percent in 1985. 40 percent of today's teen "owners" had their cars bought for them by their parents. I saved and bought my own car for my senior year of high school, but won't lie, my parents leased a new car for me to go to college in because it was out of state and I needed reliable transportation. So I can't say these kids are spoiled, but does a 16-year old really need a brand new Subaru Legacy, as one example in this story? Luckily others highlighted had sensible used Hondas and Nissans. On the safety side some parents say this purchasing is an insane trend but then go the opposite route and say their child won't even get a learners permit until they're 17. How does that make them a better driver? Isn't it better to be licensed and learning earlier even if you don't give them a car?