I didn't take the survey but I want to chime in on licensing cost. I think it is a scam and strong arm tactic, aka mafia enforcement, that companies have to get certified by various agencies in order to be validated for us in certain vehicle brand. We all know certain companies such as M1, Val, Amsoil, Penz, etc are good. Does it really matter if they have an extra alphabet on the bottle. That will raise the price and create a leach industries that contribute very little and probably nothing but live off the hard work the motor oil industry on the dime of the American consumers.
I say we have 1 or no more than 2 certification firm that set the standard and as long as oil meet or exceed that then they are good oil. I don't want to be bullied into buying the same oil for much higher price such as those driving the Euro stuffs. People say Euro cars are great and they act like anything from Euro is top notch, including the OCI. The only reason why Euro OCI is high because it cost more to do things there but because their stuffs are better. It is no tougher driving a car in Europe than driving it in the US. I have highway like them and cities like them. They just don't drive as much as us because they can't afford to.
It is bad enough I have to buy coolant and ATF from Honda because it is spec for Honda. I don't want to do the same for motor oil, which is something I use more often than coolant or ATF. What's next, buying tires, filter, gas, and everything from specific brand for specific vehicle. Not thanks. Standardize everything or I'll won't purchase your stuffs.
Rant off.