Genuine Parts Record Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter 2005

ATLANTA--Oct. 1, 20058, 2005--Genuine Parts Company reported record sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Tom Gallagher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that sales totaling $2.6 billion were up 9% compared to the third quarter of 2004. Net income was $110.9 million, an increase of 13%, compared to $97.9 million for the third quarter of 2004. On a per share diluted basis, net income was 63 cents, up 12.5% compared to 56 cents for the third quarter last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, sales totaled $7.4 billion, up 8% compared to the same period in 2004. Net income for the nine months was $328.4 million, an increase of 10% over $299.2 million recorded in the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.87, up 9% compared to $1.71 for the same period last year.

Mr. Gallagher stated: "The third quarter was our strongest quarter thus far in 2005, and it continues the positive growth pattern we have experienced in each of our business segments dating back to early 2004.

"Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, grew sales by 12%, the sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue increases for this group. S.P. Richards, our Office Products Group, had an 8% increase in sales, and this follows a 6% increase in the first quarter and an 8% increase in the second quarter. We are encouraged by another period of steady growth for this group. The Automotive Group produced its strongest quarter of the year, with sales up 8% in the third quarter after reporting increases of 4% and 6% in the first and second quarters, respectively. EIS, our Electrical Group, also contributed to our growth this quarter, with sales up 2%. Excluding the impact of the sale of their Circuit Supply division earlier this year, the on-going operations at EIS improved 10% in the period."

Mr. Gallagher further commented: "Our financial position has strengthened in 2005 through improvements in working capital and strong earnings growth. The balance sheet at September 30, 2005 remains in excellent condition and we continue to generate strong cash flows."

Mr. Gallagher concluded: "As we look ahead to the fourth quarter, we continue to maintain a positive outlook on the growth opportunities for our businesses. Our initiatives in the Automotive Group are proving successful and the market conditions in the aftermarket remain favorable for us. In addition, the manufacturing indices for Industrial and Electrical/Electronic reflect continued expansion and the employment numbers for the service sector fit well with our initiatives in the Office Products Group. So, we feel good about the growth potential of the North American markets we serve and we will continue executing our strategies and initiatives to capitalize on this potential and finish the year strong."

About Genuine Parts Company

Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S. and Canada through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes business products nationwide in the U.S. and Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                         Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                            September 30,           September 30,
                          2005        2004        2005        2004
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                         (Unaudited)

                            (in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales              $2,555,503  $2,349,283  $7,373,361  $6,843,960
Cost of goods sold      1,777,001   1,649,890   5,097,122   4,764,591
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                          778,502     699,393   2,276,239   2,079,369
Selling, administrative
 & other expenses         598,403     541,675   1,744,092   1,595,321
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Income before income
 taxes                    180,099     157,718     532,147     484,048
Income taxes               69,223      59,825     203,706     184,810
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net income               $110,876     $97,893    $328,441    $299,238
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

Basic net income per
 common share                $.64        $.56       $1.88       $1.71

Diluted net income per
 common share                $.63        $.56       $1.87       $1.71

Weighted average common
 shares outstanding       173,929     174,792     174,320     174,648

Dilutive effect of
 stock options and non-
 vested restricted
 stock awards                 956       1,021         968         842

Weighted average common
 shares outstanding -
   assuming dilution      174,885     175,813     175,288     175,490
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
             SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


                          Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                               Sept. 30,               Sept. 30,
                            2005        2004        2005        2004
                        ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
                                          (Unaudited)

                             (in thousands, except ratio analysis)

Net sales:
  Automotive           $1,329,083  $1,229,943  $3,792,821  $3,575,189
  Industrial              711,201     636,693   2,100,532   1,874,599
  Office Products         437,799     406,101   1,250,321   1,165,245
  Electrical/Electronic
   Materials               87,041      85,357     255,078     254,263
  Other (1)                (9,621)     (8,811)    (25,391)    (25,336)
                        ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
      Total net sales   $2,555,503  $2,349,283  $7,373,361  $6,843,960
                        =========== =========== =========== ==========

Operating profit:
  Automotive             $108,551    $101,942    $314,638    $304,695
  Industrial               53,680      40,851     152,288     125,149
  Office Products          33,638      32,203     115,276     108,651
  Electrical/Electronic
   Materials                4,694       3,780      12,716      11,300
                        ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
  Total operating profit  200,563     178,776     594,918     549,795
   Interest expense        (8,159)     (9,307)    (23,369)    (29,154)
   Other, net             (12,305)    (11,751)    (39,402)    (36,593)
                        ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
     Income before
      income taxes       $180,099    $157,718    $532,147    $484,048
                        =========== =========== =========== ==========

Capital expenditures      $18,986     $20,979     $59,310     $46,550
                        =========== =========== =========== ==========

Depreciation and
 amortization             $17,169     $16,584     $51,429     $49,775
                        =========== =========== =========== ==========

Current ratio                                       2.9/1       2.9/1
                                                =========== ==========

Total debt to total
 capitalization                                      15.9%      20.2%
                                                =========== ==========

(1) Represents the net effect of discounts, incentives and freight billed reported as a component of net sales.

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



                                               September   September
                                                   30,         30,
                                                  2005        2004
                                               ----------- -----------
                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                   (in thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                        $339,505    $284,704
Trade accounts receivable                       1,227,836   1,146,965
Inventories                                     2,157,824   2,163,049
Prepaid expenses and other current assets         167,958     141,848
                                               ----------- -----------

   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                         3,893,123   3,736,566

Goodwill and other intangible assets               62,478      57,761
Other assets                                      430,400     339,077
Total property, plant and equipment, net          383,292     339,397
                                               ----------- -----------

TOTAL ASSETS                                   $4,769,293  $4,472,801
                                               =========== ===========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable                               $1,041,335    $861,557
Current portion of long-term debt and other
 borrowings                                           908     125,841
Income taxes payable                               50,994      60,869
Dividends payable                                  54,357      52,425
Other current liabilities                         183,822     167,426
                                               ----------- -----------

   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                    1,331,416   1,268,118

Long-term debt                                    500,000     500,000
Other long-term liabilities                       109,888      60,739
Deferred income taxes                             121,160     113,259
Minority interests in subsidiaries                 56,362      52,091
Common stock                                      173,522     174,630
Retained earnings and other                     2,476,945   2,303,964
                                               ----------- -----------

   TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                   2,650,467   2,478,594
                                               ----------- -----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     $4,769,293  $4,472,801
                                               =========== ===========

Note: Certain balance sheet reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

                GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                      September 30,
                                                     2005      2004
                                                   --------- ---------
                                                       (Unaudited)
                                                     (in thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                      $328,441  $299,238
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                     51,429    49,775
   Other                                              6,706     3,337
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities      107,251   117,857
                                                   --------- ---------


NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES           493,827   470,207

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchase of property, plant and equipment        (59,310)  (46,550)
   Other                                             11,428        --
                                                   --------- ---------

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES               (47,882)  (46,550)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Net payments on credit facilities                    (59)   (9,559)
   Stock options exercised                           16,021    31,649
   Dividends paid                                  (161,536) (156,150)
   Purchase of stock                                (95,806)  (20,286)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES              (241,380) (154,346)
                                                   --------- ---------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS           204,565   269,311

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD    134,940    15,393
                                                   --------- ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD         $339,505  $284,704
                                                   ========= =========