Hertz Ends Some Agent Commissions

Hertz Corp., the biggest U.S. car-rental company, said it eliminated base commissions paid to North American travel agents on certain transactions, following similar moves by several major airlines.

Hertz said the change, effective immediately, was made because of continued weak travel demand, and the need to further reduce costs.

The company, a unit of Ford Motor Corp., said the move will affect mostly U.S. and Canadian corporate and government accounts with individually negotiated rate programs. It won’t affect travel agency commissions for leisure car rentals, or for other business rentals.

Shares of Ford fell 31 cents to $15.06 on the NYSE.