In Pixar's Cars 2, Mater is mistakenly treated as an American spy.
Mater travels with Lightning McQueen to the World Grand Prix, where British agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell misinterpret his accidental observations as evidence of secret-agent skill. Mater's unusual behavior and his ability to notice details make him an unwitting participant in the espionage story.
The misunderstanding drives much of Cars 2's comedy. Mater is not trained intelligence personnel; he is the tow truck from Radiator Springs, and his friendship with McQueen remains central even as the plot moves through Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London.
Finn McMissile is the actual British spy, while Holley Shiftwell is an intelligence agent who works with him. Lightning McQueen is the racing celebrity attending the World Grand Prix. Mater's role should therefore not be confused with the film's professional agents, even though his actions help expose the conspiracy.