A hybrid induction motor includes an inductive rotor and an independently rotating permanent magnet rotor. The inductive rotor is a squirrel cage type rotor for induction motor operation at startup. The permanent magnet rotor is axially displaced and variably coupled to the inductive rotor (or to a motor load) through a clutch and is allowed to rotate independently of the inductive rotor at startup. The independently rotating permanent magnet rotor quickly reaches synchronous RPM at startup. As the inductive rotor approaches or reaches synchronous RPM, the coupling between the inductive rotor and the permanent magnet rotor increases until the two rotors are coupled the synchronous RPM and the motor transitions to efficient synchronous operation.