1 EXHIBIT 12.1 VENTURE HOLDINGS COMPANY LLC COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) Years Ended December 31, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net Earnings from continuing operations 9,082 (8,941) 13,568 11,523 1,999 Add back: Taxes on Income (11,289) 8,227 2,489 3,830 1,002 Fixed Charges 113,156 80,072 40,651 34,204 21,899 Amortization of previously capitalized interest -- -- 224 295 285 Deduct: Capitalized Interest -- -- -- -- 108 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings available for fixed charges 110,949 79,358 56,932 49,852 25,077 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges of Venture Holdings Company LLC: Interest expense 102,513 72,606 36,641 30,182 19,248 Capitalized interest -- -- -- -- 108 Amortization of debt expense and debt discount 6,378 4,572 2,160 1,934 885 Interest portion of rent expense 4,265 2,894 1,850 2,088 1,658 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 113,156 80,072 40,651 34,204 21,899 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earning to fixed charges 0.98 0.99 1.40 1.46 1.15