(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- General Motors added Chinese parts manufacturer Bethel Automotive Safety Systems as one of its tier-one suppliers after trialing its components since the start of this year.

The Anhui-based firm will deliver steering knuckles to the American auto titan's four Mexican plants for the next seven years, it said in a statement on Feb. 15. GM expects to sell about 350,000 cars fitted with the component each year, Bethel added, saying it began shipping the parts to Mexico earlier this year.

Knuckles connect a car's steering and suspension system and facilitate the tire's change in direction when the steering wheel is turned.

Bethel believes the partnership with GM will help improve its market standing and give the supplier greater industry influence.

Editor: James Boynton