If they tried to introduce cars now, there is no way they would get through. Because they are truly ridiculous and horrible. A million deaths around the world directly, and another million due to pollution? Imagine trying to convince everyone that was a good idea.
Compared to walking dozens of miles everywhere? Remember that the only existing modes of transportation were bicycles and horse-drawn carriages. The car absolutely needed to happen to aid our progress as a civilization.
Everything looks bad in hindsight right? But it is the car that enabled the progression that makes the car impractical.
The truth is almost every mode of transport is selfish. It's always selfish, until everyone starts using it, at which point it's revolutionary.