Yeah ... I have no idea how they came up with such a figure.
5-7k a year? If you need an engine or transmission replacement every year, maybe. Or if you have an expensive-to-maintain import (like OOP's bimmer) and you take it to a specialist mechanic every time it has the slightest hiccup.
But for 5-7k a year, you could be entirely replacing the car every year.
There were a few times in history that they tried to do so.