The number of cars newly registered in South Korea inched down last year from a year earlier due to the current and ongoing economic slowdown.

According to data compiled by the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the country’s new vehicle registrations came to one-point-82 million units last year, down six tenths of a percent from 2015.

The number of newly registered sedans marked one-point-53 million units last year, similar from the previous year, but that of vans and trucks decreased eleven-point-three percent and three-point-one percent, respectively.

The sale of eco-friendly models and gasoline vehicles increased over the cited period, while those of diesel and liquefied petroleum gas powered vehicles declined due to low oil prices and the increase of hybrid models.

Industry watchers say that new vehicle registrations decreased last year as people in their 30s and 40s were reluctant to buy new cars amid growing household debt.

New vehicles registrations decreased among all age groups last year, excluding those in their 20s and 50s.