If there’s one valuable object of desire for car thieves, it’s it. catalyst. This component contains a ceramic panel impregnated with a coating of palladium, rhodium and platinum – precious metals sought after by thieves. To try to prevent their clients from experiencing this bitter situation, Toyota has found a cheap formula.
The accessible location of the catalyst and that composition of precious metals They are a very important pairing for criminals. If they have a minimal knowledge of mechanics, it will take a few minutes to disassemble it and they may even have specific tools for it. However, the usual thing is that they cut the exhaust in the area closest to the catalytic converter or that they start it directly by pulling it with a chain.
Target: the Toyota Prius
Catalytic converter theft is an epidemic that knows no borders, but there are countries where it has become a particularly serious problem: the United States is the best example of this. A study by the US National Insurance Crime Bureau has revealed that this type of crime has grown by 325% between 2019 and 2020.
For different reasons, the models of Japanese brands are usually the most frequent targets. The Toyota Prius is also one of the favorites for thieves. The reason? It has more precious metals than most vehicles. In the aftermarket, there are guards to prevent such theft. However, Toyota already offers it for those customers who are going to buy the new Toyota Prius.
In optional equipment
Cat Shield is a shield manufactured by MillerCAT, which is part of the optional equipment of the Japanese hybrid car. It is made of 5052 grade aluminum (used on boats) and 304 stainless steel: it promises excellent strength and corrosion resistance. They also include a tamper-evident screw kit to deter would-be thieves.
This protector for the Toyota Prius catalyst costs 140 dollars (131.54 euros) plus the cost of its installation. Toyota dealers also offer this service, but considering that it does not need drilling, it is something that each client can do on their own if you wish. Not surprisingly, it comes with an installation guide and detailed instructions. MillerCAT also has protections for other Toyota and Lexus models.
The presence of this shield is not a guarantee that the catalyst will be safe from thieves, but it can have a deterrent effect because the objective is no longer so simple. If he succeeds, he will have fulfilled his mission and will have brought financial peace of mind to the owners of the new Toyota Prius: in the United States, That piece costs more than 1,000 euros… without installation.
