Tow Mater

Tow Mater
Cars character
Mater as he appears in most Cars media
First appearance	Cars (2006)
Created by	John Lasseter Joe Ranft Jorgen Klubien
Voiced by	Larry the Cable Guy (2006–present)[1] Adam Burton (Cars 3: Driven to Win)[1]
In-universe information
Species	Tow truck
Occupation	Owner of Tow Mater Towing & Salvage
Significant other	Holley Shiftwell
Home	Radiator Springs

Tow Mater is a fictional anthropomorphic tow truck and major character in the Disney/Pixar Cars franchise. His appearances include the feature films Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3, as well as in the TV series Cars Toons and Cars on the Road. Mater is also a playable character in each of the Cars video game installments. He is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy.

In Cars, Mater is the local tow truck who owns and operates his own towing and salvage yard in Radiator Springs and is the first vehicle in town to support Lightning McQueen. They quickly become best friends. In Cars 2, Mater heads overseas to act as Lightning's crew chief in the first ever World Grand Prix, but inadvertently becomes involved in international espionage after being mistaken as a spy. In Cars 3, Mater is a supporting character who stays behind in Radiator Springs while Lightning travels to the Rust-eze Racing Center, but gives advice to him on how to defeat Jackson Storm later in the film.

Critical reception of the character was mixed. Following his debut in Cars, Mater was described as the series' breakout character and made prominent appearances in Cars animated series and short films. Several critics disliked his lead role in Cars 2, particularly for taking the spotlight away from Lightning McQueen, with some comparing him to the Star Wars character Jar Jar Binks.