Saietta Group

Saietta Group was a United Kingdom engineering company focused on electric-vehicle powertrain technology. Its activities covered the design, development, testing, and intended supply of complete electric drive systems for applications including scooters, buses, light commercial vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and marine craft. The company’s technology portfolio combined electric motors with controllers, power electronics, transmissions, and related mechanical and electrical integration rather than treating the motor as an isolated component. The business originated in 2008 as Agility Racing Limited, with an initial ambition to manufacture electric motorcycles. It later traded as Agility Global Limited before adopting the Saietta Group name in 2015. The Saietta name had previously been used for high-performance electric-motorcycle prototypes; it is derived from an Italian word meaning “thunderbolt.” In 2015, the company moved from central London to an engineering and testing site in Oxfordshire on a former military airfield. The location offered expanded design, development, validation, and track-testing facilities. Between 2015 and 2017, Saietta moved away from the direct development of electric motorcycles and explored electric-drive applications through work with a third-party motor manufacturer. It initially concentrated on generic direct-current axial-flux motors for specialist motorcycles, one-off projects, and light commercial vehicles, but commercial uptake was limited. From 2017, the company entered a development period focused on a new generation of axial-flux technology intended to combine high performance with the manufacturability and cost profile required for larger markets. The resulting technology was branded AFT, or axial-flux technology. Saietta also developed radial-flux technology, known as RFT, allowing it to offer different motor architectures for different vehicle and duty-cycle requirements. Development was supported by private investment and grants associated with the Advanced Propulsion Centre, the Niche Vehicle Network, and Innovate UK. Working prototypes were developed into a low-volume product designated AFT 140. Saietta exited its relatively private development phase at the end of 2020 and began commercialising its technology through industry agreements and manufacturing relationships in multiple markets. In June 2021, Saietta Group PLC joined the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market. The flotation raised gross proceeds of £37.5 million and valued the company at approximately £102.1 million at the issue price. The company expanded its scope in November 2021 by acquiring e-Traction from Evergrande Group. e-Traction supplied electric drivetrains and high-voltage power-electronics technology for buses and heavy goods vehicles. During the same month, Saietta launched a Dutch subsidiary called Propel to develop electric marine-propulsion systems using axial-flux technology. These moves broadened the company beyond its original motorcycle-related identity and placed greater emphasis on commercial vehicles, buses, and marine applications. In April 2022, Saietta announced plans to open a former ZF Automotive manufacturing facility in Sunderland, England. The proposed first phase was intended to provide capacity for as many as 100,000 motors per year and to establish a UK pilot-production base ahead of the company’s previously stated 2024 objective. Saietta’s described capabilities included market research and product definition, computer-aided engineering simulation, electrical development of motors and controllers, mechanical integration, prototype construction, bench and rig testing, and vehicle validation. Saietta Group PLC entered administration on 4 March 2024. In April 2024, EXEDY Group acquired the company’s assets and intellectual-property rights. As a result, Saietta Group PLC no longer operates as an independent listed powertrain company, although its technologies and intellectual property became part of the acquired asset base.

Saietta Group began in 2008 as Agility Racing Limited, a company established with the ambition of producing electric motorcycles. The business later changed its legal name to Agility Global Limited and, on 6 June 2015, became Saietta Group Limited. During its early period, the company developed and promoted several working prototypes of high-powered electric motorcycles under the Saietta brand. The name referred to a thunderbolt and helped distinguish the company’s performance-oriented electric-mobility identity. In 2015, Saietta moved from central London to an Oxfordshire site located on a former military airfield. The new base provided more extensive engineering facilities and access to private testing infrastructure, supporting the company’s efforts to develop and validate electric-drive technology. From 2015 to 2017, Saietta gradually shifted its focus away from becoming a motorcycle manufacturer. It worked with a third-party electric-motor producer and investigated generic direct-current axial-flux motors for specialist motorcycles, bespoke projects, and light commercial vehicles intended partly for Asian markets. Although the motors demonstrated strong performance, the business achieved limited commercial traction during this phase. Beginning in 2017, the company entered a concentrated technology-development period. It designed a new axial-flux motor architecture intended to deliver high power density while remaining suitable for lower-cost, larger-scale production. Saietta also developed radial-flux motor technology to address applications for which that architecture was more appropriate. The company’s engineering work covered not only motor design but also controllers, power electronics, transmissions, software-related control functions, mechanical integration, prototype construction, and testing. Its modular approach was intended to support both low-voltage and high-voltage electric-drive systems. The development programme was funded through a mixture of private capital and public support. Relevant funding and development programmes included the Advanced Propulsion Centre, the Niche Vehicle Network, and Innovate UK. Saietta’s early axial-flux prototypes eventually led to the AFT 140, a low-volume production model. By the end of 2020, the company had secured its first significant commercial industry contracts and emerged from its relatively confidential development phase. It then sought to commercialise the technology through partnerships and manufacturing arrangements in several markets. Saietta became a public company on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2021. The flotation produced gross proceeds of £37.5 million and gave the company an approximate market capitalisation of £102.1 million at the issue price. In November 2021, Saietta acquired e-Traction from Evergrande Group. That transaction expanded its capabilities in electric drivetrains and high-voltage power electronics for buses and heavy goods vehicles. Saietta also launched Propel, a Dutch subsidiary intended to develop electric marine-propulsion products using axial-flux technology. The company continued to pursue manufacturing scale-up. In April 2022, it announced plans to open a former ZF Automotive manufacturing facility in Sunderland. Saietta described the site as a UK pilot-production facility and stated that the first phase could eventually support production of 100,000 motors annually. The proposal was intended to accelerate the establishment of domestic production ahead of the company’s earlier 2024 target. Saietta’s wider business model included market research, product definition, computer-aided engineering, electrical and mechanical design, prototype manufacture, laboratory and rig testing, and road or vehicle validation. The expansion strategy did not result in a sustainable standalone business. Saietta Group PLC entered administration on 4 March 2024. In April 2024, EXEDY Group acquired its assets and intellectual-property rights. Saietta therefore changed from an independent listed electric-powertrain company into a defunct corporate entity whose technology assets were acquired by another industrial group.

• 2024

  Administration and acquisition of assets

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Saietta Group PLC enters administration in March, and EXEDY Group acquires its assets and intellectual-property rights in April.

• 2022

  Sunderland pilot-production plan announced

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Saietta announces a planned UK manufacturing facility with a first-phase target of up to 100,000 motors per year.

• 2021

  AIM listing and expansion into buses and marine propulsion

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Saietta lists on AIM, acquires e-Traction, and launches the Propel marine-propulsion subsidiary.

• 2020

  Saietta exits stealth development

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After developing prototypes and securing initial major industry contracts, Saietta begins actively commercialising its motor technology.

• 2017

  New axial-flux technology programme begins

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Saietta begins developing a new axial-flux motor architecture intended for performance and scalable production.

• 2015

  Company adopts the Saietta Group name

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 6 June 2015, Agility Global Limited changes its name to Saietta Group Limited. The company also relocates to an Oxfordshire engineering and testing site.

• 2011

  Name changes to Agility Global Limited

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopts the Agility Global name while continuing development of Saietta-branded electric-motorcycle prototypes.

• 2008

  Agility Racing Limited is incorporated

  [1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The business is established with an initial objective of developing and manufacturing electric motorcycles.

Engineering-led electric-powertrain specialist positioned around modular axial- and radial-flux motor architectures, integrated controls, and scalable drive systems for commercial, light-mobility, and marine vehicles.

• Axial-flux electric motor

  AFT 140

  The AFT 140 was Saietta’s low-volume production axial-flux motor developed from the company’s prototype programme. It represented the transition from experimental high-performance electric-motor designs toward a product intended for integration into commercial electric powertrains. The motor formed part of Saietta’s modular approach and could be combined with controllers, transmissions, and other system components.

• Axial-flux motor technology · 2017

  AFT technology

  Saietta’s proprietary axial-flux technology was designed for electric vehicles requiring compact, high-performance drive units. The company presented the architecture as adaptable to both low-voltage and high-voltage applications and intended it to support more economical production than some specialist performance motors. It was developed for scooters, commercial vehicles, buses, and marine propulsion.

• Radial-flux motor technology

  RFT technology

  RFT was Saietta’s radial-flux motor technology, developed alongside its axial-flux systems. The architecture gave the company an additional design option when engineering electric drives for different vehicle packaging, power, and operating requirements. RFT formed part of the broader motor-and-controller platform rather than being positioned solely as a consumer-facing product.

• Commercial-vehicle electric drivetrain

  e-Traction electric drivetrains

  e-Traction supplied electric drivetrains and high-voltage power electronics for heavy goods vehicles and buses. Saietta acquired the business in 2021, expanding from motor technology into more complete commercial-vehicle drive systems and adding capabilities relevant to high-voltage fleet electrification.

• Marine electric propulsion · 2021

  Propel marine propulsion solutions

  Propel was a Dutch Saietta subsidiary launched in 2021 to develop electric propulsion systems for marine applications. Its work was based on Saietta’s axial-flux technology and extended the group’s target markets beyond road vehicles into electrically powered boats and other marine platforms.

• 2024

  Asset and intellectual-property sale to EXEDY GroupM&A

  Background

  Saietta Group PLC entered administration on 4 March 2024.

  Action taken

  EXEDY Group acquired Saietta’s assets and intellectual-property rights in April 2024.

  Aftermath

  Saietta ceased to operate as an independent listed group, while its technology assets moved to EXEDY Group.

  Source

• 2022

  Planned Sunderland pilot-production facilityStrategy

  Background

  Saietta aimed to move from engineering and low-volume activity toward UK-based production of electric motors.

  Action taken

  The company announced plans to open a former ZF Automotive manufacturing facility in Sunderland, with a first-phase production ambition of up to 100,000 motors annually.

  Aftermath

  The plan was announced as a way to establish UK pilot production ahead of the company’s stated 2024 target, but Saietta later entered administration.

  Source

• 2021

  AIM market flotationOther

  Background

  Saietta required capital to commercialise its motor technology and expand engineering and manufacturing activities.

  Action taken

  Saietta Group PLC listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market in June 2021.

  Aftermath

  The listing provided gross proceeds of £37.5 million and gave the company an approximate market capitalisation of £102.1 million at the issue price.

  Gross IPO proceeds. £37.5 million raised (June 2021)

  Source

• 2021

  Acquisition of e-TractionM&A

  Background

  Saietta wanted to broaden its offering from motor technology into complete electric drivetrains and high-voltage systems for larger vehicles.

  Action taken

  The company acquired e-Traction from Evergrande Group.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition added capabilities serving buses and heavy goods vehicles.

  Source

• 2017

  Development of scalable axial-flux technologyStrategy

  Background

  Saietta sought to improve the commercial prospects of axial-flux motors by combining strong performance with a design intended for lower-cost, higher-volume production.

  Action taken

  The company began a multi-year programme covering motor design, engineering, intellectual-property registrations, prototyping, and testing.

  Aftermath

  The programme produced the AFT technology family and the AFT 140 low-volume production model.

  Source

• 2015

  Move from electric motorcycles toward electric-drive technologyStrategy

  Background

  The company’s early identity was tied to high-powered electric-motorcycle prototypes, but the motorcycle manufacturing opportunity produced limited commercial progress.

  Action taken

  Saietta shifted resources toward electric motors and integrated powertrain solutions for a broader set of vehicle applications.

  Aftermath

  The change laid the foundation for later axial-flux, radial-flux, commercial-vehicle, and marine programmes.

  Source

• 2024

  Saietta Group enters administration[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Saietta Group PLC entered administration on 4 March 2024, ending its operation as an independent listed company.

• 2024

  EXEDY Group acquires Saietta assets and intellectual property[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  EXEDY Group acquired Saietta Group PLC’s assets and intellectual-property rights in April 2024 following the company’s administration.

• 2022

  Saietta announces Sunderland manufacturing facility[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company announced plans to use a former ZF Automotive facility in Sunderland as a UK pilot-production site, with a stated first-phase target of up to 100,000 motors per year.

• 2021

  Saietta Group lists on London Stock Exchange AIM[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Saietta Group PLC was admitted to the AIM market in June 2021. The flotation raised gross proceeds of £37.5 million and implied an approximate market capitalisation of £102.1 million at the issue price.

• 2021

  Saietta acquires e-Traction[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Saietta acquired e-Traction from Evergrande Group, adding electric drivetrains and high-voltage power-electronics capabilities for buses and heavy goods vehicles.

• 2021

  Saietta launches Propel marine-propulsion subsidiary[1]Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Saietta established Propel in the Netherlands to develop electric marine-propulsion solutions based on its axial-flux motor technology.

1. 1Saietta Groupen.wikipedia.org