Captive lenders and auto-heavy banks have quickly mobilized to stave off the growing risk that retailers and their customers may have trouble paying their bills in the coming months.

In a time of crisis, an F&I training expert says the best antidote to powerlessness, fear and uncertainty is to be proactive.

GM Financial is putting much of the deal structure into F&I managers' hands to speed up the car-financing process and make financing available to dealers and most customers at any time of day.

Ford Motor Credit, Nissan Motor Acceptance and Toyota Financial Services are among the finance arms offering malleable payment and repayment programs, with larger lenders Wells Fargo Auto and Ally Financial following suit. GM is offering 0 percent interest on 84-month loans and 120-day deferred payments on new-vehicle purchases.