In Pixar's Cars 2, which character is secretly revealed to be the villain?

In Pixar's Cars 2, Miles Axlerod is secretly revealed to be the villain.

Axlerod presents himself as a former oil baron who became an electric-car advocate and organizes the World Grand Prix. Later, the film reveals that he is the mastermind behind the plot to discredit alternative fuel by causing cars to malfunction after using Allinol.

The twist makes Axlerod an unusual antagonist in the series because his public identity is built around environmental progress. His plan is designed to create fear of alternative fuel and protect the status of petroleum-based energy.

Cars 2 shifts the franchise toward spy-film conventions, with British agent Finn McMissile and intelligence operative Holley Shiftwell investigating the conspiracy. Mater becomes involved after being mistaken for an American spy, while Lightning McQueen competes in the World Grand Prix.