EXHIBIT 12 THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT RATIOS) UNAUDITED Nine months Ended September 30, -------------------------- 2002 2001 ---------- -------- Income before income taxes $187,230 $134,187 Interest expense 280,387 318,473 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 89,797 84,206 -------- -------- Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges $557,414 $536,866 ======== ======== Interest expense (including capitalized interest) $281,360 $319,599 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 89,797 84,206 -------- -------- Fixed charges $371,157 $403,805 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.5 1.3 ======== ========