European automotive supplier association CLEPA said it is looking for Saab to settle outstanding debts before any production restart.

Saab today (28 October) agreed a proposed EUR100m (US$141m) takeover by Chinese automaker Youngman and distributor Pang Da which, while still subject to government approval, could see the embattled automaker resume production at its Trollhättan site after a six month shut down.

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“We were very concerned it would go [into] bankruptcy, so now we know with whom to negotiate,” CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist told just-auto from Italy where he was visiting a technology research centre.

“If they want to run production, they had better give us our money otherwise there will not [be any] production.”

The CLEPA chief estimates his members are owed EUR150m while any Saab exit from its voluntary reorganisation would see it have to repay the Swedish state for the three months of wages guaranteed by the government as the automaker desperately sought to survive.

“It looks like they [Saab] have secured financing and have got all the necessary attributes to be able to continue production at Saab,” said Holmqvist. “We are very happy to assist with that as long as they pay their debts to us.”

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The CLEPA CEO also cast doubt on whether or not current Saab CEO Victor Muller would remain long at the helm of the company under the new structure.

“I don’t know if Victor Muller is staying or not,” he said. “If he stays, it will be for a short period of time.

“I don’t think he would be interested in running a company for someone else.”