Said device is advantageously used downstream of a standard three-way catalyst container.

From Corsa to Senator: Three-way catalytic converter on every model

The invention relates to a single-layer, three-way catalyst for cleaning exhaust gases of combustion engines, having excellent activity and temperature stability.

March 1988: with 20,451 units, Opel has established itself as the leader in new registrations of cars with three-way catalytic converters in Germany.

Offering the three-way catalytic converter as standard across the range was the provisional climax of an environmental offensive that Opel had started five years before.

Additionally, all Opel cars with three-way catalytic converter were equipped with active carbon filters for capturing hydrocarbons that escaped from the fuel tank.

The automotive engineering community at the time was convinced that there was no alternative to the three-way catalytic converter if exhaust emissions were to be reduced as much as possible.

Opel’s smallest car with three-way catalytic converter in 1989 was the Corsa, fitted as standard with a 44kW (60hp) 1.3-litre fuel-injection engine.

Opel was first in introducing new technologies for a broad customer base such as the three-way catalytic converter as standard (1989) or fitting all passenger cars with full-size airbags (1995).

The amount of Opel cars equipped with catalytic converters rose again in early 1989 following the introduction of the Vectra, which Opel offered with the three-way catalytic converter as standard right from the start of sales.

Thirty years ago, on April 21, 1989, Opel announced it would become the first German car manufacturer to offer the three-way catalytic converter as standard equipment on all its passenger cars – from Corsa and Kadett, to Vectra, Omega and Senator.

Thirty years ago, on April 21, 1989, Opel announced it would become the first German car manufacturer to offer the three-way catalytic converter as standard equipment on all its passenger cars – from Corsa and Kadett, to Vectra, Omega and Senator.

Thirty years ago, on April 21, 1989, Opel announced it would become the first German car manufacturer to offer the three-way catalytic converter as standard equipment on all its passenger cars – from Corsa and Kadett, to Vectra, Omega and Senator.