No doubt the oil costs are quite expensive in Europe. Just look at the cost of fuel.
My thought is that auto industries keep increasing the oil change intervals so that the engine doesn't last as long and you need to replace it or buy a new car. (Since the Insight first gen is becoming rare, so too are the used parts inventories i.e. used engines and trans.)
Longer oil change intervals are designed to bring down the cost per mile to operate, but not to let the car last longer.
Just my 2 cents
