An electric motor in which at least one of the rotor and the stator has an asymmetric design is disclosed. The electric motor is divided into a number of segments, where each segment has an equal number of windings and an equal number of poles. The physical construction of each pole within a segment is identical and the number of turns of each winding within a segment is identical. The asymmetry is formed by varying the physical construction of the either the rotor or the stator within one segment from the corresponding construction of the rotor or stator in the other segments. The asymmetries are designed to improve one or more operating characteristics such as sensorless performance, torque ripple, or cogging torque in the motor.