Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire, has secured a £26.8 million development loan from Cain International, an alternative asset manager specialising in real estate investment solutions. The funding will be used to deliver the first phase of The Ranges, the estate’s latest development designed for headquarters buildings for transport technology companies.
Phase 1 will be the new headquarters for Mercedes-Benz Group-owned YASA, which is a spin-out from the University of Oxford that is pioneering new electric drive technology. Its new headquarters will be located on the former site of the rifle ranges and will be a substantial bespoke development which will total over 8,300 m2.
ractical completion is targeted for summer 2025, with YASA’s fit-out to follow and teams to relocate in early 2026.
“This funding enables us to support YASA’s growth plans, adding their 400 strong staff team to our thriving community,” stated John Bentley, chief financial officer, Bicester Motion. “Cain International has been supportive and flexible in providing us with the development funding required and has the capacity to increase its commitment as we continue to deliver our ambitious and exciting masterplan to boost future mobility discovery.”
Nikos Yerolemou-Ennsgraber, director, Cain International, shared, “Bicester Motion is a unique destination where, from our very first visit, the passion for motorsport and advanced engineering was immediately clear. We are proud to have established a new finance partnership with the Bicester Motion team as part of our ongoing strategy to support borrowers with long-term financing solutions. We look forward to seeing YASA’s new headquarters at The Ranges come to life and continuing our partnership.”
YASA’s axial flux technology
YASA uses its axial flux technology to produce electric motors that are reported to be up to 4x more powerful than those used in nearly all Electric Vehicles on the road today, whilst being around 50% smaller and lighter. Containing a number of pressed stator cores, manufactured from soft magnetic composite iron powder, the axial-flux motors are said to offer best-in-class power and torque densities and are suitable for both hybrid and pure electric vehicle applications.
The company’s axial-flux electric motors were showcased as part of the new Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven concept car, unveiled last year.
