Did you really read yesterday as August 21, 2023?? That's hilarious.
"Yesterday's" was used to mean "in a time passed"
In this way both the train and the automobile were used as characters in children's programs to associate the mode with a positive experience. (The actual programming or content)
Lightning McQueen is more recent than Thomas The tank, so the correct phrase would be "Lightning McQueen is today's Thomas The Tank..." or "Thomas The Tank is yesterday's Lightning McQueen..."
No, I read yesterday (Lightning McQueen) as juxtaposed with today (Thomas the Tank Engine), as if you were implying that Lightning McQueen predated Thomas the Tank Engine and TTTE was a newish show.
After Cars 2 I had very low expectations of Cars 3, unsurprisingly. It's a miracle that I was convinced to watch it. Yet somehow I was, and found it to be bloody good.