In Pixar's Cars 2 (2011), British spy car Finn McMissile recruits Mater after mistaking him for an American agent.
Finn is an experienced secret agent who investigates a conspiracy surrounding the World Grand Prix and the Allinol fuel program. During the opening operation, he encounters Mater and incorrectly assumes that the tow truck is part of an American intelligence mission.
The misunderstanding pulls Mater into the spy story. Finn later works with Holley Shiftwell, a British intelligence agent, while Mater tries to act like the professional operative Finn believes him to be. The contrast between Finn's competence and Mater's improvised behavior supplies much of the film's comedy.
Finn McMissile is an original Cars character rather than a direct named version of one real vehicle. His design evokes classic British espionage cars, especially the sleek grand-tourer image associated with spy films. Miles Axlerod is the event organizer and a separate character, while Professor Zündapp is one of the conspirators.