: The company made headlines with a massive commitment to EVs, including a monumental partnership with Tesla to integrate electric cars into its global fleet.
Despite its historical dominance, the 21st century brought unprecedented hurdles. The rise of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft disrupted traditional rental models, and the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the travel industry. These factors led to a high-profile bankruptcy filing in 2020.
Hertz’s journey began with Walter L. Jacobs, who founded a small rental company in Chicago with a fleet of just 12 Ford Model Ts. The business was soon purchased by John D. Hertz, whose vision transformed it into a cornerstone of American mobility. For decades, Hertz led the industry by strategically locating rental booths at airports, capitalizing on the post-World War II boom in commercial air travel. This "fly-drive" model became a vital component of business and leisure travel, cementing the company’s reputation as an essential service for the modern traveler.
: The company made headlines with a massive commitment to EVs, including a monumental partnership with Tesla to integrate electric cars into its global fleet.
Despite its historical dominance, the 21st century brought unprecedented hurdles. The rise of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft disrupted traditional rental models, and the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the travel industry. These factors led to a high-profile bankruptcy filing in 2020.
Hertz’s journey began with Walter L. Jacobs, who founded a small rental company in Chicago with a fleet of just 12 Ford Model Ts. The business was soon purchased by John D. Hertz, whose vision transformed it into a cornerstone of American mobility. For decades, Hertz led the industry by strategically locating rental booths at airports, capitalizing on the post-World War II boom in commercial air travel. This "fly-drive" model became a vital component of business and leisure travel, cementing the company’s reputation as an essential service for the modern traveler.
