Catalysts for nitrogen oxide (NOx) storage and reduction oxidize nitrogen monoxide (NO) emitted from auto motive lean-burn engines to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that is then stored on doped NOx 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 NOx via reactions between reducing agents in the exhaust gas such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The emitted NOx is finally reduced and detoxified to nitrogen. To meet stringent emission regulations for automotive exhaust pollutants, NOx storage and reduction catalysts must have excellent NOx 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 NOx storage material and the support. Sulfur is present in exhaust gas derived from gasoline fuel and it competes with NOx for storage and reacts with the doped NOx storage material to form sulfates. Once NOx storage materials are sulfated, they drastically lose their NOx storage capability. This report reviews the technologies used to overcome these issues and to improve the durability of NOx storage and reduction catalysts against both thermal damage and sulfur poisoning. An advanced novel catalyst system for NOx removal with synergistic NOx storage and reduction with ammonia (NH3) formation, storage and NOx selective reduction by NH3 functions is also described.