Miles Axlerod is the real name of the villain in Pixar’s Cars 2.
Axlerod presents himself as a wealthy former oil baron who organizes the World Grand Prix. His public campaign promotes Allinol, a supposedly clean alternative fuel intended to demonstrate that alternative energy can power high-performance racing.
The film later reveals that Axlerod is secretly orchestrating a plot involving electromagnetic pulse weapons and Allinol. The scheme is designed to discredit alternative fuel by causing race cars using it to malfunction, while increasing demand for oil.
Cars 2 also features Professor Zündapp, an accomplice who helps carry out the operation. Axlerod is voiced by Eddie Izzard. Viewers sometimes identify Professor Zündapp as the main villain because he is the most visible antagonist early in the story, but Axlerod is the conspiracy’s hidden leader.