Construction has begun on a manufacturer's new headquarters in Bicester.
A ground breaking ceremony for YASA's new UK headquarters at Bicester Motion, a bespoke development covering 90,000 sq ft, took place on September 12.
The company, a spin-out from the University of Oxford and wholly owned by the Mercedes-Benz Group, is developing new electric drive technology.
The remaining four buildings of its new Innovation Quarter will be part of phase two, which will cost a total of £60 million to construct.
Practical completion of its new headquarters is targeted for summer 2025, with YASA’s fit-out to follow.
YASA employs more than 400 people across several sites in Oxfordshire, including teams in innovation, engineering, prototyping, operations, and business support functions.
In January 2026, many of its teams will be due to relocate to Bicester Motion.
The construction project is expected to include eight apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, volunteering, career events, school engagement, and site tours.
Dr Tim Woolmer, founder and chief technology officer of YASA, said: "Today marks an important day for YASA as we start the construction of our new UK headquarters at Bicester Motion.
"We have never had a facility like this before and it is an enormous privilege to find a long-term home at Bicester Motion.
“When we discovered this place, we found this instant connection with the spirit, the vibe of the place, our shared missions and a wonderful space to grow and collaborate with other companies and people working in the space of electrification and transportation.
"YASA’s home has always been in Oxfordshire, the heartland of automotive technology in the UK, and our new facility will complement our existing manufacturing facility just down the road in Yarnton and we look forward to seeing our building progress.”
Bicester Motion has also revealed the new name for its Innovation Quarter, which will be called 'The Ranges', as the new buildings will be on the former location of RAF Bicester’s rifle ranges.
Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Motion, added: "This is another significant milestone for Bicester Motion, not only in officially welcoming pioneering YASA and their staff ahead of joining our unique and thriving community, but also our continued investment into enabling vital future mobility innovation.
"The project’s new name of The Ranges is homage to its history as the location for the RAF rifle ranges of old.
"We are immensely proud that YASA will join our world-leading location, already the preferred home of the likes of clean and carbon-neutral fuel developers, electric flight pioneers, and technology companies."
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