1 EXHIBIT 12.1 VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net Earnings from continuing operations 8,106 14,207 11,523 1,999 4,142 7,445 Add back: Taxes on Income 1,067 2,489 3,830 1,002 577 3,405 Fixed Charges 10,472 40,651 34,204 21,899 16,704 16,049 Amortization of previously capitalized interest 56 224 295 285 285 285 Deduct: Capitalized interest 0 0 0 108 0 0 Earnings available for fixed charges 19,701 57,571 49,852 25,077 21,708 27,184 Fixed charges of Venture Holdings Trust: Interest expense 9,479 36,641 30,182 19,248 15,032 14,345 Capitalized interest 0 0 0 108 0 0 Amortization of debt expense and debt discount 530 2,160 1,934 885 556 466 Interest portion of rent expense 463 1,850 2,088 1,658 1,116 1,238 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ 10,472 40,651 34,204 21,899 16,704 16,049 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.88 1.42 1.46 1.15 1.30 1.69