Mater is the town tow truck and Lightning McQueen's best friend in Pixar's Cars.
Mater is a rusty, humorous tow truck who lives in Radiator Springs. He is among the first residents to befriend Lightning, and his loyalty helps Lightning understand the value of relationships beyond racing fame. Mater's stories, jokes, and enthusiasm provide much of the film's comedy, while his kindness makes him central to the emotional arc.
Larry the Cable Guy voices Mater. The character's name is a shortened form of “tomater,” matching the film's wordplay based on vehicles and automotive culture. Mater also enjoys tractor tipping and claims to have once driven backward faster than anyone else, though his storytelling is often exaggerated.
Mater returns as a major character in Cars 2 and Cars 3. He is the lead character of the short-form series Mater's Tall Tales and appears in other Cars-related television and theme-park projects.