In Pixar’s Cars 2, who is the villainous oil magnate behind the sabotage plot?

Miles Axlerod is the villainous oil magnate behind the sabotage plot in Pixar’s Cars 2.

Axlerod presents himself as a former electric car who became an energy entrepreneur. He organizes the World Grand Prix and promotes Allinol, a supposedly clean alternative fuel. His public campaign is designed to make the fuel appear successful while concealing a dangerous plan involving cars that use it.

The espionage storyline follows secret agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell, who investigate the crashes surrounding the races. Mater becomes involved after being mistaken for an American spy, and his accidental discoveries eventually expose Axlerod’s scheme.

Axlerod is sometimes confused with Professor Zündapp, another major antagonist. Zündapp is the scientist who develops and oversees the sabotage technology, while Axlerod is the mastermind who benefits from the plan. Cars 2 was released in 2011 and was the second feature in the franchise.