Genuine Parts Company Announces Proposed Acquisition of NAPA Distributor

ATLANTA--Sept. 3, 2003--Larry Prince, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Genuine Parts Company , announced, "A definitive agreement has been signed relating to the acquisition of the NAPA Hawaii business owned by Schuman Carriage Company, Ltd., a long-standing NAPA distributor with annual sales of approximately $35 million. Genuine Parts Company will purchase for cash substantially all of the assets of NAPA Hawaii. Consummation of the transaction is contingent upon compliance with the terms of the agreement and any applicable regulatory requirements. NAPA Hawaii is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, and serves approximately 32 independently-owned NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and 4 company-owned stores located throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Samoa."

Mr. Prince stated, "We believe the acquisition of NAPA Hawaii offers us excellent growth opportunities in their markets. We are pleased that we were able to reach this agreement with such a quality organization and look forward to the contributions they will make to our Company."

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., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes product nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Genuine Parts Company had 2002 revenues of $8.3 billion.

Various statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors, which are discussed in Genuine Parts Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.