1 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, ------------------------ 1999 1998 -------- -------- Income before income taxes $461,663 $388,335 Interest expense 258,308 236,651 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 65,821 58,168 -------- -------- Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges $785,792 $683,154 ======== ======== Interest expense (including capitalized interest) $259,587 $237,522 Portion of rent estimated to represent the interest factor 65,821 58,168 -------- -------- Fixed charges $325,408 $295,690 ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.4 2.3 ======== ======== 22