Europe was ruined in the Second World War, but America was a powerhouse. There were only a few attacks on the American soil by the Japanese and the Axis forces, so it was able to churn out war material (tanks, aeroplanes, ships) to support Allied armies.
After the war ended, US industries were robust, people had employment, they could afford housing and cars (two of most expensive possessions for any family). New suburbs were cropping up around cities, where people were relocating to avoid congestion in bigger cities. American automobile industry enticed buyers with style and annual model changes so buyers would select their latest ride to reflect their status and ambitions.
General Motors (GM) had five divisions in a hierarchy: “Chevrolet” was the entry level brand; “Pontiac” was the next rung up; “Oldsmobile” sold family cars to mom-and-pop; “Buick” was their luxury division and “Cadillac” was the flagship.
Ford Motor Company had their brands as “Ford” rivaling Chevrolet, “Mercury” fighting Oldsmobile and “Lincoln” going for Cadillac. The cross-town Chrysler Corporation had “Dodge” at entry level, “Plymouth” as rival to Oldsmobile and Mercury, “Chrysler” aimed at Buick, with “Imperial” as their most aspirational nameplate.
People usually started with Chevrolet / Ford / Dodge, moved up to Pontiac / Oldsmobile / Mercury / Plymouth when they had a young family, and bought a Buick / Chrysler when they were better off. A Cadillac / Lincoln / Imperial meant you well-and-truly made it.
Fuel economy was unheard of, and most of the American cars were powered by large unstressed V-8s. The open spaces in USA provided for wide lanes to accommodate the cars with three-abreast seating for large American males.
Women had joined the work force increasingly during the World War years (1939-45), and they were enthusiastic adopters of automatic gears and power steering.
The typical American family had a detached house in suburbs, a car each for Pop and Mom, with children enrolled in local schools or State University as the 1950s progressed.
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