Abstract: An improved electric motor having bridge-type magnetic circuits and including a magnetically permeable armature having first and second sets of salient rotor poles that are axially spaced apart and a permanent magnet stator structure. The stator structure includes a first pair of parallel magnetically permeable plates that are symmetrically disposed with respect to a first plane of symmetry and between which is interposed a first permanent magnet, the first plane of symmetry including the rotor axis. A second pair of parallel magnetically permeable plates is provided in symmetrical relation with respect to the first pair of plates and a second permanent magnet is interposed between the second pair of plates. The symmetry exhibited by the first and second pairs of plates is referenced to a second plane of symmetry that includes the rotor axis.