General Motors is prepared to argue that hundreds of its suppliers are “critical vendors” who require timely payments if it seeks bankruptcy protection, setting the stage for what would be the most sweeping attempt ever to win special treatment for such contractors, people close to the matter say.

Companies often request special treatment for a limited number of suppliers as part of bankruptcy petitions. Bankruptcy experts say GM would stand a good chance of winning protection for more suppliers than is usual because of the large number that provide “just-in-time” car parts to the company.

“On its face, the justification for critical trade appears very strong here, as strong if not stronger than in most other cases,” said James Sprayregen, a bankruptcy partner at Kirkland & Ellis. “It's hard to see how it's going to be in anybody's interest to shut the supply chain down.”