“I really wanted to start off with something that was the complete opposite of what the audience would expect from
the sequel to Cars,” said director John Lasseter. “People are expecting to see Lightning McQueen, Mater, stock car racing, Radiator Springs, Route 66, the Southwest…but instead, the first thing you see is ocean. And then there’s a boat. And out in the middle of the ocean, there’s a little car riding on this boat and he’s looking for another car. You’re thinking, ‘Wait a minute—what’s going on here?!'”