1 EXHIBIT 12 THE HERTZ CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EXCEPT RATIOS) UNAUDITED Six Months Ended June 30, ----------------------- 1999 1998 -------- -------- Income before income taxes $228,968 $188,017 Interest expense 161,283 147,848 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 41,930 37,850 -------- -------- Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges $432,181 $373,715 ======== ======== Interest expense (including capitalized interest) 161,929 $148,306 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 41,930 37,850 -------- -------- Fixed charges $203,859 $186,156 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.1 2.0 ======== ======== 22