Mazda slashes precious metal content in new catalytic converters

Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. announced the world’s first market application of a single-nanocatalyst technology in automobile catalytic converters. This technology is touted to significantly reduce the amount of precious metals used in converters and allows for the more effective purification of vehicle exhaust gases. It will be introduced in the Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan), set to launch in late February. With the single-nanocatalyst technology, the underfloor catalytic converter in the all-new Mazda3 will require only 0.15 grams per liter of precious metals, approximately 70% less than the 0.55 grams per liter required in the car’s previous model. (January 9, 2009)