The development of Magnaquench in 1985 by the Delco-Remy laboratories, increased the research of applications of permanent magnets for use in automobiles. However the application of permanent magnet machines for cranking purposes has not been investigated much. Difficult operating conditions, like, a maximum current density of 35A/mm², and the ability to withstand demagnetizing armature currents up to 250% of the stall current require a new design approach to be developed. Commutation in the permanent magnet machine is obtained by a three phase full wave inverter. The machine - inverter model was simulated by a standard method (SPICE), and an second analytical method we developed. A permanent magnet brushless motor and a drive for cranking purposes is designed and simulated as a part of this thesis. / Master of Science