General Motors Europe said Friday it will set up a mechanism for the timely payments of suppliers' claims toward Saab Automobile AB (SAAB-B.SK).

GM is committed to maintaining a viable global supplier base during Saab's reorganization, GM Europe said in a press statement.

This gesture will encourage suppliers to support Saab's reorganization as a fully independent business, it said.

"During the reorganization, Saab Automobile AB will continue to operate as usual," the statement added.

-By Frankfurt Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 69 29 725 500; djnews.frankfurt@dowjones.com