The history and evolution of Hertz, a global leader in the car rental industry, offers a unique case study on innovation, corporate resilience, and the shifting dynamics of global transportation. From its modest beginnings in 1918 to its current status as a household name operating in over 160 countries, the story of Hertz reflects broader economic and technological trends of the 20th and 21st centuries.
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*car
However, Hertz utilized its restructuring period to pivot toward the future of transportation: The history and evolution of Hertz, a global