Industry

Nearly 2 million new cars were purchased with home-equity loans in 2007, but that source of vehicle financing is shrinking this year in response to the rollback in home values. If new-vehicle sales continue to recede, say lenders, the share of home-equity loans (HEL) used for new-vehicle purchases also will fall from last year's 11.77%. The housing crisis, connected with the credit crunch, has really

byMac Gordon, Correspondent