Dec. 21, 2022—The 2023 Toyota Prius hopes to deter theft by including a catalytic converter shield add-on.
According to Jalopnik, catalytic converter thefts have been a problem for years as thieves disproportionality target the Japanese hybrid vehicle due to its high black-market value (as much as $1,000).
The new shield, a $140 accessory that owners will have to pay to have installed, is designed to make theft hard and peace of mind easy.
Despite the shield, there is no guarantee that it’s theft-proof, only more difficult to steal thus making it a deterrent. Made by MillerCAT, the Cat Shield is made from 5052-grade aluminum, which is used on boats, and promises “excellent strength and corrosion resistance.”