The number of new vehicles registered in Hawaii fell by more than one-quarter last year as consumers cut back on new car purchases.

Figures released by the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association show the number of cars and light trucks registered in the state fell to 42,804 last year.

That was down from the 57,526 units registered in 2007. Registrations are thought to be representative of new vehicle sales and are projected to fall further this year as the state's economic slide continues. Hawai'i's 2008 sales decline was steeper than the drop nationally, which was 18.1 percent.

Japanese automakers remained the state's top-selling brand, with Toyota/Scion, Honda, Nissan, Ford and Chevrolet occupying the five top spots in terms of vehicles registered statewide in 2008.