There seem to be some misconceptions around what leasing is and who benefits from leasing.
The people who benefited most from leasing were those who were going to drive BMWs, Mercedes, etc anyway and found leasing as a way to lower their TCO (total cost of ownership). Repeated lease cycles were cheaper than cycles of 6-year ownership due to favorable MF, RV and rebates, and favorable taxes in 44 states.
They could do so because they had the cash to put down MSD, had loyalty from prior ownership, or had corp/fleet from working at a select list of companies, knew about OL codes and had bought CCA membership, etc etc.
Leasing also benefited people who wanted … let’s call them toys for lack of a better word and again had the financial security to easily afford the overlapping monthly payments and insurance coverage on those extra cars. People who could pick up a Camaro V8 on a whim, an extra Mini to toss around, maybe even a Jaguar F-type. Again, the RV, MF and rebates were highly favorable and it allowed people to have their cake and eat it too: cycle through cars faster and cheaper than ownership.
There are a few specific use-cases where it makes sense to lease.