THIS TIME last year Tony Spillane was developing new technology for MG Rover. He led the production of the carmaker’s little-known hybrid version of the MGTF sports car, while a hybrid version of the Rover 25 was going down the production line when the company collapsed.
Now Mr Spillane and three engineering colleagues from MG Rover are working on developing a new driverless transport system for Heathrow airport and are designing agricultural technology in an engineering consultancy called Tech2reality. They are also lobbying the Government to improve its green credentials by giving them a contract to convert the fleet of ministerial Rover 75s into hybrid vehicles.
The company’s aim is to begin continuous manufacturing and, in a symbolic renaissance, move back on to the Longbridge site. Nevertheless, there is some way to go before that is achieved and Tech2 reality is knocking at the doors of relevant funds for grant assistance.
Tech2reality is a minnow in a field dominated by well- established engineering consultancies and by the research and development capabilities of large international businesses. Mr Spillane believes that there is a market in the demands of niche projects and one-off programmes, however, particularly as more organisations feel pressure to review the efficiency of their transport systems.
Much of Tech2reality’s efforts will be focused on environment-related work. Hybrid cars are becoming more popular and Mr Spillane believes that the trend has much further to go. He says: “Take motor sport. It could face a backlash over energy consumption so the way forward is to find more environmentally friendly methods.”