Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hertz Reports Year-over-Year Improvement

Annual revenue for 2009 fell 17 percent to $7.1 billion from $8.5 billion the prior year, though Hertz narrowed its net loss to $126 million from $1.21 billion in 2008.

by Staff
February 24, 2010
2 min to read


Hertz Global Holdings Inc. reported fourth quarter 2009 worldwide revenues of $1.7 billion, a decrease of 2.7 percent year-over-year (a 6.5 percent decrease in constant currency). Worldwide car rental revenues for the quarter increased 3.4 percent (a 0.6 percent decrease in constant currency) to $1.5 billion. Revenues from worldwide equipment rental for the fourth quarter were $274.0 million, down 26.1 percent (a 28.9 percent decrease in constant currency) over the prior year period.

Fourth quarter 2009 adjusted pre-tax income was $39.2 million, versus adjusted pre-tax loss of $103.7 million in the same period in 2008, and loss before income taxes ("pre-tax loss"), on a GAAP basis, was $67.4 million, versus $1,446.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Ad Loading...

The fourth quarter of 2008 included a non-cash impairment charge of $1,168.9 million relating to our goodwill, other intangible assets and property and equipment. Corporate EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $221.0 million, an increase of 89.1 percent from the same period in 2008.

Fourth quarter 2009 adjusted net income was $22.5 million, versus a loss of $73.0 million in the same period of 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 net loss, on a GAAP basis, was $30.9 million, compared with a net loss of $1,218.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Mark P. Frissora, Hertz’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2009 was based on continued improvement in the U.S. car rental business, our largest market, and sustained progress throughout the year to develop new revenue sources and further reduce overall costs.

“For the full year 2009, we cut costs by $760 million, and by over $1.2 billion from 2007 through 2009. We also generated over $170 million of incremental revenues last year from new products and services, which helped offset recession-related pressure on our core businesses. In 2010, we expect to take more costs out of our business processes, further develop new revenue sources, and open over 150 new rental locations in the U.S. and internationally."

Hertz took $34.5 million in restructuring and related charges in the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily attributable to costs associated with job reductions, the closure of rental locations and process reengineering. Hertz said it expects restructuring and related charges to diminish significantly throughout 2010.

More Rental Operations

50 states map showing LOR rates for each state with different shades of light to dark green

U.S. Rental Length Declines Slightly in Q1 2026, Enterprise Reports

LOR overall continues to trend downward, but ongoing market and economic conditions could affect future results while the industry deals with staffing and productivity challenges.

Read More →
Illustration of a driverless futuristic front seat/dashboard view of other cars on a freeway with city skyline on horizon.

Hertz, Uber Deepen Roles In Self-Driving And Driver-Led Fleet Services

The business arrangement connects demand with scalable fleet management services and supports a range of mobility uses.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...