A set of Ce-Cu-O catalysts was synthesized by the solution combustion synthesis. The highest activities for both CO and ethene oxidations were achieved for Ce/Cu ≈ 1. CeOx and CuOx may cooperate synergistically, leading to higher oxidation activity. The soot combustion activity increases as a function of the Ce-content up to 95 at.%. Their catalytic activity was confirmed in a laboratory-scale pilot plant reactor.