According to a "not totally scientific analysis" performed by WARD's AutoWorld, the publication has noted a distinct trend in auto sales in relation to presidential elections. Comparing sales tendencies back to 1960, the article states that auto sales are apt to be stronger in election years than most other years and beginning with the 1960 presidential race, only one election year had auto sales decline from the previous year. That decline occurred when Reagan beat Carter in the 1980 election.

The WARD's article further surmised that if history is an indicator, we may see another upset at the polls this year. The publication cites the statistics that only two of all the four-year terms surveyed saw average sales decline during the first three years and the presidents serving at the time of each lost their reelection bids (the presidents were Gerald Ford in 1976 and George H.W. Bush in 1992). Currently, George W. Bush's term in office is seeing a sales increase in his fourth year, after three previous years of declining auto sales.

Ward's does not promote its study or the results thereof as a serious tool for predicting presidential elections or forecasting auto sales.