A NO.sub.x absorber catalyst for treating an exhaust gas from a diesel engine. The NO.sub.x absorber catalyst comprises a first NO.sub.x absorber material comprising a molecular sieve catalyst, wherein the molecular sieve catalyst comprises a noble metal and a molecular sieve, and wherein the molecular sieve contains the noble metal; a second NO.sub.x absorber material comprising palladium (Pd) supported on an oxide of cerium; and a substrate having an inlet end and an outlet end.