A bankruptcy judge has said Delphi can postpone by six months the repayment of $4.35 billion in loans.

The delay was necessary in part because Delphi has depended on former parent General Motors for financing amid a seizure of the credit markets.

The ruling effectively allows the auto supplier to default on the loans when they mature Dec. 31, and lets the supplier move back its repayment deadline to June 30. Delphi has used the loans to fund operations while under bankruptcy protection.

Troy-based Delphi has received an extension once before, but certain lenders objected this time.

General Motors Corp. plans to provide an additional $600 million in loans. GM faces its own cash crunch and could be forced to file for bankruptcy unless it gets a government bailout.