The Cars character known as Tow Mater is Mater.
Mater is a rusty tow truck who lives in Radiator Springs and becomes Lightning McQueen’s closest friend. His name is a pun on “tow mater,” a pronunciation of “tomater” that echoes the phrase “tow truck.” The character’s humor, loyalty, and exaggerated stories make him one of the trilogy’s most recognizable figures.
Mater first appears in Cars as a local resident who helps Lightning understand the community and repair his damaged relationship with the town. He later travels internationally in Cars 2, where his innocent behavior causes other characters to mistake him for a secret agent. Mater also appears in Cars 3, remaining part of Lightning’s support group.
Larry the Cable Guy provides Mater’s English voice. The character’s design reflects an old American tow truck, with a missing headlight and weathered brown-orange bodywork. Mater is not the same vehicle as Sheriff, Sarge, or Red, who are separate Radiator Springs characters.