MillerCAT Catalytic Converter shields are part of Toyota and Lexus’s Associated Accessory Products program.
Despite several groups of catalytic converter theft rings getting busted and owners of targeted cars upping their security options, catalytic converter theft remains a problem.
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the best ways to thwart thieves is by installing a car-specific catalytic converter shield and, thanks to Toyota’s new Associated Accessory Products program, they’re making it easier for new car buyers to get the cat converter protection they need.
MillerCAT, a US-based manufacturer of high-quality catalytic converter shields, was vetted and approved by Toyota via their AAP program to offer their catalytic converter shields for new Toyota and Lexus vehicles as an option, available when you first buy and build your car.
A quick run-through of Toyota’s lineup and, as of this blog post, MillerCAT catalytic converter shields are now available on the new 2023 Toyota Prius.
Presumably their cat shields will be available on other ‘as vulnerable to catalytic converter theft’ Toyotas like the Tundra (easily accessible cats) or hybrid-variants of their other vehicles (cars with cats with more precious metals than gas variants) but, for right now, MillerCAT and Toyota are starting out with the Prius.
As the screenshot shows, this is a $140 option excluding the cost of installation.
While you can probably add the cost of installation to the price of your Prius (keeping in mind the $100/hour Toyota shop rate for labor,) as MillerCAT’s official installation video for the Gen 4 Prius shows, a DIY install can be done in less than an hour and is a true bolt-on job.
And, while you can buy a MillerCAT shield, or other catalytic converter shield after you drive off the dealership floor, why not get it out of the way and option it at the time of purchase?
With some cars, like the Prius, catalytic converter theft often isn’t a matter of if, but when. While these catalytic converter shields can’t guarantee you’ll wake up every morning with your cat still attached, it’s, as mentioned, the number one way to deter and prevent a cat thief in the first place.
At $140, it’s kind of a no-brainer.
