NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - DaimlerChrysler will implement a new management structure that will include cutting 20 percent of its general and administrative staff, the world's fifth-biggest car manufacturer said Tuesday.

The cuts are expected to reduce the company's global white-collar jobs by about 6,000 over the next three years and result in a $1.2 billion a year savings.

"(Administrative) costs are expected to be reduced by 1.5 billion per year. The net effect of Tuesday's announcement will be (a savings of) 1 billion per year," the automaker said.

"Our objective in taking these actions is to create a lean, agile structure, with streamlined and stable processes that will unleash DaimlerChrysler's full potential," CEO Dieter Zetsche said in a statement.

Daimler will also move its headquarters in May from outside Stuttgart, southern Germany, to Untertuerkheim, to be closer to production.

Ford Motor (Research) on Monday announced plans to cut 25,000 to 30,000 manufacturing jobs and close 14 plants as it tries to shore up its money-losing North American operations.

General Motors (Research) has started a similar program.

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