In Pixar’s Cars 2, which character is secretly the film’s main villain?

In Pixar’s Cars 2, Sir Miles Axlerod is secretly the film’s main villain.

Axlerod is introduced as a former oil tycoon who has become an electric-car advocate and the organizer of the World Grand Prix. His public campaign promotes Allinol, a supposedly clean alternative fuel that is given to the race competitors.

The film later reveals that Axlerod is actually behind the plot to discredit alternative fuel. A camera hidden in the racers’ equipment triggers violent reactions in cars using Allinol, creating fear and making petroleum appear safer by comparison. Axlerod is eventually exposed and arrested.

The twist can be confused with Professor Zündapp, the German scientist who appears to lead the criminal operation. Zündapp is an important accomplice, but Axlerod is the mastermind. Cars 2 changes the series from a small-town racing story into an international spy adventure involving Tokyo, Porto Corsa and London.