This paper describes a new method to estimate the standstill position of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM). The method is based on the anisotropic properties of permanent magnets and is therefore referred to as Magnetic Anisotropy Method (MAM). The MAM method differs significantly from all standard standstill position detection methods previously presented in the literature. The proposed method is totally independent of saliency and saturation effects and can therefore be used in many types of PMSM where the standard methods would fail. The experimental results are fully explained and a brief analysis of the physical phenomena behind the method is also presented.