German automobile maker Daimler has rejected a complaint filed in New York alleging complicity with the former apartheid regime in South Africa, a spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman called the charges "inadmissible and unfounded."

A court in New York is to consider a case brought by a human rights group against Daimler and four other multi-national companies, IBM, Ford, General Motors and the German industrial and defence group RheinMetall, she added.

They are accused of "complicity in human rights violations in connection with activities in South Africa under the apartheid regime," the Daimler spokeswoman said.

Daimler feels US judicial authorities have no jurisdiction in its case "because no American party was implicated and nothing took place on American territory," she added.

The German group also argues that it "operated with backing from the (German) federal government" in South Africa during the period in question.

In addition, Daimler officials cooperated with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa after the regime disappeared and had "nothing to reproach itself."

A complaint was filed before the US justice system six years ago, and it authorised legal proceedings in April against the five multinational companies.

All five have since appealed that decision.

In September, South African authorities decided to no longer oppose the complaint, which it had feared would discourage foreign investment.

Daimler is a major sponsor of the German national football team, which will compete in the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.