noun
tractor; towing vehicle
Refers to a vehicle designed to pull or tow other vehicles or heavy loads, such as a farm tractor or a tow truck.
農家は牽引車で畑を耕す。
The farmer plows the field with a tractor.
故障した車は牽引車で運ばれた。
The broken-down car was towed away by a towing vehicle.
noun
driving force; leading role
Figurative use for a person or thing that pulls a project or group forward, acting as the main engine or leader.
彼はチームの牽引車として活躍している。
He is active as the driving force of the team.
この新技術が業界の牽引車となるだろう。
This new technology will likely become the driving force of the industry.
トラクター is the common loanword for agricultural or construction tractors, while 牽引車 is a broader term that can also refer to any towing vehicle or a figurative driving force.
レッカー車 specifically means a tow truck or wrecker, whereas 牽引車 can refer to any towing vehicle including a tractor or a vehicle used for towing in general.
Compound of 牽引 (towing, pulling) + 車 (vehicle). The figurative sense extends the idea of pulling something forward to a person or thing that leads or drives progress.