DaimlerChrysler, the German-US carmaker, has suspended at least six of its high-ranking managers following an internal investigation into allegations the company paid kickbacks for contracts under the United Nations' oil-for-food programme in Iraq.

People close to the carmaker said between six and nine managers had been put on leave. Most of them work in its overseas division. The suspensions mark one of the first public steps undertaken by one of about 2,000 companies accused of taking part in the scandal.