Abstract: A squirrel cage rotor includes a cage, lamination sheets provided with a plurality of slots, and short circuit rings arranged at the axial ends of said lamination sheets and connected by short circuit rods disposed within said slots. In one aspect, said lamination sheets comprise sheets made of an amorphous magnetic material, especially of an amorphous metal with high saturation magnetization. In another aspect, said slots are formed with a convex base portion. In a further aspect, said short circuit rings are made of a metal matrix composite material with high electrical conductivity, preferably of a fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite material.