Mater is the friendly tow truck who becomes Lightning McQueen’s best friend in Pixar’s Cars.
Mater lives in Radiator Springs and is known for his humor, loyalty, and willingness to help. He first meets McQueen after the rookie race car is stranded in town. Their friendship develops even though McQueen initially treats Mater and the other residents as obstacles delaying his trip to the championship.
Mater’s full name is commonly given as Tow Mater, a pun on “tomato.” His weathered appearance and rusty body are part of his character design, but the film presents him as perceptive and emotionally generous rather than unintelligent.
Larry the Cable Guy provides Mater’s voice. Mater returns as a major character in Cars 2 and Cars 3, and he also leads the animated television series Mater’s Tall Tales. His friendship with McQueen remains one of the central relationships in the Cars franchise.