The present invention provides crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites having a maximum pore size of eight tetrahedral atoms, wherein the zeolite has a total proton content of less than 2 mmol per gram. The zeolite may comprise 0.1 to 10 wt.-% of at least one transition metal, calculated as the respective oxide and based on the total weight of the zeolite. It may furthermore comprise at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal in a concentration of 0 to 2 wt.-%, calculated as the respective metal and based on the total weight of the zeolite. The zeolites may be used for the removal of NOx from automotive combustion exhaust gases.