Catalysts for nitrogen oxide (NO_x) storage and reduction oxidize nitrogen monoxide (NO) emitted from automotive lean-burn engines to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) that is then stored on doped NO_x storage materials such as barium and/or potassium compounds as nitrate ions (NO₃⁻). In a reducing atmosphere provided by a suitable engine management system, the nitrates formed are subsequently reduced and decomposed into NO_x via reactions between reducing agents in the exhaust gas such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The emitted NO_x is finally reduced and detoxified to nitrogen. To meet stringent emission regulations for automotive exhaust pollutants, NO_x storage and reduction catalysts must have excellent NO_x removal activity and an extremely long lifetime. These catalysts can deteriorate not only due to thermal stress, but also to sulfur poisoning. Thermal stress causes a decrease in the number of active sites through sintering of precious metals, decreases the specific surface area of the support and leads to solid-phase reaction between the NO_x storage material and the support. Sulfur is present in exhaust gas derived from gasoline fuel and it competes with NO_x for storage and reacts with the doped NO_x storage material to form sulfates. Once NO_x storage materials are sulfated, they drastically lose their NO_x storage capability. This report reviews the technologies used to overcome these issues and to improve the durability of NO_x storage and reduction catalysts against both thermal damage and sulfur poisoning. An advanced novel catalyst system for NO_x removal with synergistic NO_x storage and reduction with ammonia (NH₃) formation, storage and NO_x selective reduction by NH₃ functions is also described.