In Pixar's Cars, what type of vehicle is Mater?

Mater is a tow truck in Pixar's Cars.

Mater is Radiator Springs' rusty, blue-gray tow truck and one of Lightning McQueen's closest friends. He helps McQueen understand the town's community and becomes a major source of comic relief. Although Mater is not a professional racer, he is highly skilled at towing, recovering vehicles, and telling stories about his past.

The character is voiced by comedian Larry the Cable Guy. His name is a shortened form of “tomater,” reflecting a playful pronunciation of “tomato” in the Southern-style speech used for the character. Mater's humor and loyalty made him popular enough to receive a larger role in Cars 2 and a starring role in the television series Cars on the Road.

Mater is sometimes mistakenly described as a pickup truck, but his defining vehicle type is a tow truck. His visible towing equipment, including the rear boom and hook, is central to both his design and his job in Radiator Springs.