You can say they're victims of marketing but your vitriol goes too far. I wonder if you would say the same about any other consumerist excess: a bigger house, a nicer watch, a faster car.
"Marketing" is the exact point parent is making though. A "built Ford tough" F-150 doesn't allege to be a faster car, it is targeted at the specific demographic. It would appear you're using "vitriol" to mean "bluntness".
