YASA secures new facility at Catalyst Bicester

YASA, the pioneering electric vehicle motor manufacturer, has taken the last unit in phase 1 of Catalyst Bicester, the new advanced manufacturing and technology business community in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

YASA, which became wholly owned by Mercedes Benz in 2021 and has its headquarters in Kidlington, Oxford, is leading the way in EV motor evolution, with their Axial Flux Technology which is an alternative to the standard radial electric motors. The company has taken unit 4 in phase 1 which is a detached technology building which totals 21,520 sq ft (1,999 sq m). 

The letting to YASA at Catalyst follows the recent announcement that the aerospace business Evolito has taken units 1-3 in phase 1 for its new HQ. Evolito is creating the next-generation of electric motor technology for the rapidly growing aerospace market.

Catalyst Bicester is under construction to the town’s south, just off the A41 adjacent to the Bicester Avenue retail centre and the new Holiday Inn and under two miles from J9 M40. It will have an end value of circa £100 million.

YASA and Evolito are located on phase 1 of the development which totals four units and has been fully let within six months of completion. David Lloyd Health and Racquets Club has also recently opened at Catalyst, providing first class facilities for occupiers of the technology buildings and the local community.

Recently, a reserved matters application for phases 2 and 3 at Catalyst have been approved by Cherwell District Council. Phase 2 will comprise the next five buildings which will total 121,735 sq ft (11,309 sq m) and will range from 17,660 sq ft to 29,615 sq ft (1,640 sq m to 2,751 sq m). Construction will start in the early 2023 and be ready for occupation in late 2023.

The remaining phase 3 is available to accommodate bespoke occupier requirements of up to 110,000 sq ft (10,219 sq m).

Simon Parsons, Albion Land explained: “We warmly welcome YASA to Catalyst Bicester - another revolutionary electric motor company which has chosen Catalyst. The response to the Catalyst development from technology, advanced manufacturing and high-performance engineering companies has been unprecedented and we are in advanced and positive discussions with other similar companies about the next five buildings.

“YASA’s arrival is exciting news for Bicester, the Oxfordshire technology and science market is flourishing and the town is established as a key location for expanding knowledge based occupiers. Catalyst is attracting premium technology-based companies, generating significant investment and creating high quality employment opportunities. We are looking forward to developing phase 2 in 2023.”

When completed, Catalyst Bicester will total circa 300,000 sq ft (27,870 sq m) in up to 13 technology buildings set in a sustainable and extensively landscaped environment.

The letting agents are Brown & Co, CBRE, and Colliers International.

Find out about the next phase at Catalyst Bicester.