In Pixar's Cars 2, Mater is mistaken for an American spy.
Mater attends the World Grand Prix with Lightning McQueen but becomes entangled in espionage after British agent Finn McMissile sees him survive an encounter involving the race conspiracy. Finn and intelligence agent Holley Shiftwell conclude that Mater may be an undercover American operative.
Mater does not understand the misunderstanding, yet his honesty, improvisation, and unusual behavior repeatedly help the investigation. The spy plot centers on a group of disgruntled lemons led by Professor Zündapp, who plan to discredit Allinol by causing dangerous explosions during the races.
Cars 2 shifts the franchise toward an international spy adventure, giving Mater a much larger role than in the first film. The story visits Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. Michael Caine voices Finn McMissile, Emily Mortimer voices Holley Shiftwell, and Larry the Cable Guy voices Mater.