Miles Axlerod is revealed as the main villain behind the worldwide plot in Pixar's Cars 2.
Axlerod is introduced as a former oil baron who claims to have converted himself into an electric vehicle. He presents the World Grand Prix as a celebration of alternative fuel, but the event is secretly connected to a scheme involving Allinol and electromagnetic weapons.
The apparent villain Professor Zündapp works as Axlerod's associate rather than replacing him as the central mastermind. Mater's investigation eventually exposes Axlerod's identity and his attempt to discredit Allinol by causing dangerous race crashes.
Cars 2 shifts the series from a small-town racing story to an international spy adventure. It features settings including Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London, with Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell serving as espionage characters.