Related: Hertz Posts $474M Net Loss for 2016
Hertz Reports Net Loss of $223M
For the first quarter 2017, Hertz Global Holdings Inc. reported declines in revenue and earnings. Hertz’s total revenues were $1.9 billion, a 3% decline year-over-year, while adjusted earnings were negative $110 million — compared to positive $27 million in Q1 2016.

Photo courtesy of The Hertz Corp.

Photo courtesy of The Hertz Corp.
For the first quarter 2017, Hertz Global Holdings Inc. has reported its total revenues as $1.9 billion, a 3% decline versus first quarter 2016.
Adjusted earnings for Q1 were negative $110 million compared to positive $27 million in the same period last year, according to Hertz.
For the third quarter, Hertz reported a net loss (from continued operations) of $223 million, including $30 million of impairment charges. This is compared with a net loss of $52 million during the same period last year. Before income taxes, Hertz’s net loss was $294 million versus $76 million in Q1 2016.
For the U.S., Hertz’s total RAC revenues were $1.4 billion in Q1, a decrease of 4% from last year. Transaction days decreased by 1% year-over-year, primarily driven by one less rental day since 2016 had Leap Day. According to Hertz, pricing dropped 3% in Q1 impacted by an unfavorable customer mix, which the company is looking at in its long-term improvement plan. Adjusted earnings for Q1 were negative $104 million, a $130 million decline from last year.
“As previously outlined, we are executing on a turnaround plan that puts our customers at the center of everything we do,” said Kathryn V. Marinello, president and CEO of Hertz. “Our goal is to strengthen the business to drive predictable, sustainable growth over the long term. While we are mindful of today's headwinds related to used car residual values, our commitment to investing in the business remains steadfast. In particular, we are placing significant emphasis on fleet quality, the customer experience, brand development, and systems transformation. These investments are critical to rebuilding our position as a leader in the global rental car market. While our performance doesn't yet reflect our investments and may continue to be uneven, we are seeing signs of progress.”
In Q1, U.S. RAC net vehicle depreciation per unit per month increased 15% to $348, primarily driven by seasonally weak residual trends. Hertz continued its fleet optimization plan by selling 21% more vehicles year-over-year, according to the company. U.S. vehicle utilization was lower by 3 percentage points in Q1.
Hertz’s total international RAC revenues were $411 million in Q1, a decrease of 5% from Q1 2016. Excluding a $6 million impact of foreign currency exchange rates, revenues dropped 4% due to a 4% decrease in total revenue per transaction day (RPD), according to Hertz.
More Rental Operations

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →
U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius
The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.
Read More →
Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030
A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.
Read More →
