About the company
Hertz - the history and features of one of the largest car rental companies
Hertz Corporation is an American company founded more than 90 years ago. Today it manages several international car rental brands and operates in markets around the world.
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Hertz in numbers
Hertz Corporation is one of the world's largest car rental companies with a huge selection of proactive and innovative product and service solutions, such as:
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards - Customer Loyalty Program, allows you to earn bonus points for each eligible lease for private or corporate clients. Once registered, you can earn Gold Plus Bonus Points for every Qualifying dollar spent. Then you can use your accumulated points for future rentals or discounts !
Ultimate choice - The program allows customers to choose any car on the parking lot specific area. Choose the car you like from a range of brands, models and colors, the service is already available at 60 major airports in the USA.
Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through dedicated auto collections set Hertz apart from the competition.
In addition to all of the above, Hertz Corporation owns Donlen Corporation, a leader in vehicle leasing and fleet management in the US, operates the FireFly car rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales.
Company history
Hertz is considered one of the oldest companies in the car rental industry. Its story began in Chicago more than a hundred years ago.
22-year-old Walter L. Jacobs opens a car rental business in Chicago. His first fleet is 12 Ford Model Ts, which he repaired and painted himself.
Jacobs sells the company to John Hertz, head of Yellow Cab and the Yellow Truck and Coach Manufacturing Company. The business is renamed Hertz Drive-Ur-Self System, and annual revenue has reached about one million dollars.
The first airport rental office opens at Chicago Midway.
Hertz introduces one-way rentals, letting customers return the car at a different location.
The company expands to Canada (1938) and Europe (France, 1950).
In May the company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the pandemic collapses travel demand.
On June 30 Hertz emerges from bankruptcy. In October it announces an order of 100,000 Tesla Model 3 cars, one of the largest electric vehicle purchases in history.