In Pixar’s Cars, Lightning McQueen uses the nickname Mater for his rusty tow-truck friend.
Mater is a tow truck who lives in Radiator Springs and quickly becomes Lightning’s closest friend. His name is pronounced like “tomater” without the “to,” a joke that matches his Southern-inspired speech and humorous personality. He helps Lightning understand the town and eventually supports him during the final Piston Cup race.
The character is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, whose comic delivery helped make Mater one of the franchise’s most recognizable figures. Mater’s design draws on old American tow trucks, including features associated with rural work vehicles.
Mater later becomes the central character of the animated television series Mater’s Tall Tales and appears prominently in Cars 2 and Cars 3. Although he is often comic relief, the films also portray him as loyal, observant, and emotionally perceptive.