The European Commission Thursday cleared U.S. automaker General Motors Co. to buy part of Delphi Corp. (DPHIQ), including its global steering business and four of its plants.

Delphi, GM's former parts division, has relied heavily on its former parent company as it has navigated bankruptcy proceedings.

Delphi recently won court approval to sell assets to its lenders and General Motors, clearing the way for the auto-parts supplier to end its four-year stay in bankruptcy.

-By Elizabeth Bewley, Dow Jones Newswires; +32 2 741 1 485; elizabeth.bewley@dowjones.com