An optimum efficiency control system for a variable torque/speed rotary a.c. induction machine including means for varying the frequency and magnitude of the excitation voltage/current supplied to the machine in three optimum efficiency regions of operation, a first fixed slip frequency region, a second flux saturation region, and a third voltage saturation region; and means for commanding the means for varying in the first fixed slip frequency region of operation with an excitation frequency command signal derived from the machine rotor speed and unconstrained maximum efficiency slip frequency, and an excitation voltage/current command signal derived from the difference between the commanded torque/speed of the machine and its actual torque/speed; in the second flux saturation region of operation with an excitation frequency command signal derived from the machine rotor speed and slip frequency command signal derived from the machine rotor speed and slip frequency which is a function of the difference between the commanded torque/speed of the machine and its actual torque/speed; and an excitation voltage/current command signal derived from the difference between the saturation flux and actual flux in the machine; and in the third voltage saturation region of operation with the saturation voltage and an excitation frequency command signal derived from the machine rotor speed and slip frequency which is a function of the difference between the commanded torque/speed and actual torque/speed of the machine.