Toledo, Ohio-based Dana Holdings Corp. plans to cut 500 salaried positions across North America due to the "unprecedented pressures" in the automotive industry.

According to a report from the Toledo Blade the layoffs will be made over the next three months. One hundred positions were cut yesterday at the manufacturer's Maumee, Ohio, technical center and included salaried engineers and technical workers, as well as employees in purchasing, administration and sales.

The Blade reported that a July 18 letter to employees from Dana CEO Gary Convis hinted that the cuts were likely by saying that Dana needed to follow other auto suppliers who have cut their work forces.

Severance and outplacement assistance will be offered to those losing their jobs, according to the report.