Saab CEO Victor Muller met some 30 suppliers yesterday (12 September) at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a bid to reassure them of the automaker’s viability as it appeals against a bankruptcy protection rejection.

European automotive supplier body CLEPA invited the Saab chief – whom it described as “chronically optimistic” -to the German show as Muller desperately tries to convince an appeal court in Gothenburg to overturn a lower division’s ruling.

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“He [Muller] was scheduled to attend because I gave him the chance, if you want, to explain it, don’t try to convince me, try to convince my board because they are sitting there with a lot of debts,” CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist told just-auto from Frankfurt.

“He talked in some detail about the way he could see the short-term and long-term financing. He is chronically optimistic – we don’t believe everything he is saying because some of it is in the form of a lot of hope.”

Nonetheless, Holmqvist noted if everything went the way of Muller’s prognosis, Saab “is viable” but the Gothenburg court has first to decide if the automaker’s appeal can be upheld.

Two of Saab’s labour bodies, Unionen and Ledarnea, filed for the manufacturer’s bankruptcy yesterday, with their members remaining unpaid for August and this month’s salaries payment dates looming large.

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As well as CLEPA, Scandinavian automotive suppliers body FKG was present at the meeting in Frankfurt with Muller as the Swedish representatives are members of the European association’s board.

“Our president said it was honourable for him to come in a situation like it is,” said Holmqvist. “The meeting went well considering the crisis, meaning people appreciated that he came to explain to Frankfurt.”