Who is the villainous oil baron in Pixar's Cars 2?

The villainous oil baron in Pixar’s Cars 2 is Sir Miles Axlerod.

Axlerod is introduced as a former off-road racer who became a billionaire after discovering a major oil reserve. He presents himself as an environmental reformer and organizes the World Grand Prix to promote his alternative fuel, Allinol.

His public image hides the central scheme of Cars 2. Axlerod uses a device that causes cars running on Allinol to malfunction when exposed to electromagnetic pulses. The resulting crashes are intended to make the fuel look dangerous and preserve the power of petroleum-based products.

The film’s espionage plot follows Lightning McQueen and Mater through international races in places including Tokyo, Porto Corsa, and London. The character is voiced by Eddie Izzard. Professor Zündapp is another antagonist in the movie, but he serves as Axlerod’s scientist and collaborator rather than being the oil baron himself.