In Pixar's Cars, the rusty tow truck who becomes Lightning McQueen's first close friend in Radiator Springs is Mater.
Mater is the town's tow truck and is known for his homemade humor, loyalty, and distinctive Southern-style speech. He meets Lightning after Lightning is brought to court for damaging Radiator Springs' road.
Although Mater initially treats Lightning as a stranger, he quickly becomes one of the racer's most enthusiastic supporters. Their friendship is central to the first film and continues through Cars 2 and Cars 3.
Larry the Cable Guy voices Mater in the English versions of the Cars films. The character's name is a shortened form of “tomater,” a joke that fits the series' habit of giving vehicles names connected to their designs, occupations, or personalities.