Hertz Voluntarily Files For Chapter 11

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. that it – and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries — filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware late last week.

In a statement, Hertz said that the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand was sudden and dramatic, causing an abrupt decline in the Company’s revenue and future bookings. Hertz took immediate actions to prioritize the health and safety of employees and customers, eliminate all non-essential spending and preserve liquidity. However, uncertainty remains as to when revenue will return and when the used-car market will fully re-open for sales, which necessitated today’s action.

It indicated that the financial reorganization will provide Hertz a path toward a more robust financial structure that best positions the Company for the future as it navigates what could be a prolonged travel and overall global economic recovery.

Hertz’s principal international operating regions including Europe, Australia and New Zealand are not included in the U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings. In addition, Hertz’s franchised locations, which are not owned by the Company, also are not included in the Chapter 11 proceedings.

Businesses Remain Open

All of Hertz’s businesses globally, including its Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, Hertz Car Sales, and Donlen subsidiaries, are open and serving customers.

All reservations, promotional offers, vouchers, and customer and loyalty programs, including rewards points, are expected to continue as usual. Customers can count on the same high level of service and reliability, including new initiatives such as “Hertz Gold Standard Clean” sanitization protocols to provide additional safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paul Stone, president and CEO of Hertz, said that: “Hertz has over a century of industry leadership and we entered 2020 with strong revenue and earnings momentum.”

Stone continued: “With the severity of the COVID-19 impact on our business, and the uncertainty of when travel and the economy will rebound, we need to take further steps to weather a potentially prolonged recovery. Today’s action will protect the value of our business, allow us to continue our operations and serve our customers, and provide the time to put in place a new, stronger financial foundation to move successfully through this pandemic and to better position us for the future. Our loyal customers have made us one of the world’s most iconic brands, and we look forward to serving them now and on their future journeys.”

First Day Motions

As part of the reorganization process, the Company filed customary “First Day” motions, which should allow it to maintain operations in the ordinary course. Hertz intends to continue to provide the same vehicle quality and selection; to pay vendors and suppliers under customary terms for goods and services received on or after the filing date; to pay its employees in the usual manner and to continue without disruption their primary benefits; and to continue the Company’s customer loyalty programs.

Sufficient Cash to Support Operations

As of the filing date, the Company had more than $1 billion in cash on hand to support its ongoing operations. Depending upon the length of the COVID-19 induced crisis and its impact on revenue, the Company may seek access to additional cash, including through new borrowings, as the reorganization progresses.

For more, go to https://restructuring.primeclerk.com/hertz or www.hertz.com .