Dreamworks CEO: Elon Musk Saved My Life Jeffrey Katzenberg said his recent car accident would have been much worse had he not been driving a Tesla Model S.

By Claire Groden

This story originally appeared on Fortune Magazine

Reuters | Rebecca Cook
Elon Musk

Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg shattered his arm and wrist in an Oct. 19 car crash in Beverley Hills, California. But Katzenberg says the accident would have ended much more tragically if he had not been driving his Tesla Model S, which boasts high-end safety features.

"Thank you, Elon Musk -- you saved my life," Katzenberg said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

That's welcome news for Tesla after Consumer Reports pulled its recommendation for the Tesla Model S last week. The non-profit said that the car was unreliable, while customers reported issues including charging, sunroof leaks and door handle malfunctions.

"Extensive data allows us to forecast that owning a Tesla will likely mean worse than average reliability, a decline from last years average prediction," Consumer Reports director of auto testing Jake Fisher said in a video.

The Consumer Reports news caused Tesla's stock to tumble almost 10%, though Musk defended his car by writing on Twitter that the surveys only took into account early versions of the Model S.

On Monday, he was tweeting to a different tune. In response to Katzenberg's grateful comments, Musk said "Compliment from Jeffrey is much appreciated, but the people of Tesla deserve all the credit."

Claire Groden

Reporter

Claire Groden is a reporter at Fortune.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Operations & Logistics

How to Master Peak Season Sales — and Demand — With These Warehouse Tips

In today's unpredictable retail world, the ability to handle atypical peak seasons effectively is a critical differentiator. Here's how you can streamline and optimize your warehouse operations.

Leadership

'Scaring People Is Addictive': The Creator of 'Wolf Man' and 'Saw' on Monetizing Your Nightmares

The co-writer and director of "Wolf Man," Leigh Whannell, discusses how he built a career one terrifying flick at a time.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

A Company That Made $50M Selling Side Hustle Courses on AI Book Writing Is Under Federal Investigation

Publishing.com, which sells courses and tools for generating AI-written books, is under investigation for alleged aggressive sales tactics, according to a new report.