Mercedes-Benz acquires high-performance electric motor developer YASA
July 23, 2021
Mercedes-Benz has announced the acquisition of YASA, a developer and manufacturer of next-generation electric drive technology headquartered in Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, YASA will continue to develop ultra high-performance electric motors, retaining its own brand, team and facilities and continuing to supply its existing automotive supercar customers.
“We warmly welcome YASA to Mercedes-Benz,” stated Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG and head of the Top End Vehicle Group. “YASA’s impressive axial-flux technology allows future fully electric Mercedes-AMG performance cars to stay a step ahead of the competition. Thanks to electric motors with higher power density and continuous torque delivery, we will redefine the future of driving performance.”
Founded in 2009, YASA’s proprietary axial-flux electric motor is a step-change from the legacy radial electric motor technology. The company’s patented e-motors reputedly deliver the greatest efficiencies and highest power densities in class for the smallest possible size and weight.
The company’s axial-flux electric motors contain a number of pressed stator cores, manufactured from soft magnetic composite iron powder, and are suitable for both hybrid and pure electric vehicle applications.
Following the acquisition, YASA and its 250 employees will continue to operate from its Oxford headquarters and production facility whilst providing electric motors for Mercedes-Benz’s AMG.EA electric-only platform. The subsidiary will also act as an ‘innovation partner’, pioneering new electric drive technology for the group.
Chris Harris, CEO, YASA concluded, “Working with Mercedes-Benz since 2019, it was always clear that we shared the same commitment to engineering excellence, innovation and reshaping mobility for the electric age. This acquisition is tremendously exciting because it gives YASA technology the global scale and reach of Mercedes-Benz. Together, we have the opportunity to make YASA the premier mark of excellence in electric motor technology, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and resetting the bar for electric driving experiences.”
