In Pixar’s Cars, Mater is Lightning McQueen’s rusty tow-truck best friend.
Mater meets Lightning after the rookie racer arrives in Radiator Springs. He is cheerful, talkative, and eager to share local adventures, including tractor tipping and nighttime drives. Although Lightning initially treats him as an odd local character, their friendship becomes central to the film’s emotional arc.
Mater’s name is a shortened pronunciation of “tomato,” matching the character’s country-style speech. He is designed as a weathered tow truck with a missing hood and a mismatched, improvised appearance. The character’s humor comes from his confidence, generosity, and tendency to tell stories that sound impossible but are often accepted by the people who know him.
Mater later becomes a major character in the Cars franchise and receives an especially prominent role in Cars 2. His design and personality are distinct from Guido and Luigi, who are Italian tire specialists, and from Sheriff, who is Radiator Springs’ law-enforcement car.