Genuine Parts Company Reports Record Results for 2006 Sales Increased 7%, EPS Increased 10%.

ATLANTA -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) completed its 79th year of operations and reports record sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Tom Gallagher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that sales in 2006 were $10.5 billion, up 7% compared to 2005. Net income for the year was $475.4 million, an increase of 9% compared to $437.4 million in 2005. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $2.76, up 10% compared to $2.50 in 2005.

Mr. Gallagher stated, "We are pleased to report that Genuine Parts Company achieved another record level of sales and earnings in 2006. The combination of healthy economic conditions, strong end markets and effective internal initiatives helped to drive our growth during the year and all four of our business segments contributed to our overall progress."

Mr. Gallagher added, "Our progress in 2006 follows 8% increases in revenues in both 2004 and 2005 and we remain encouraged by the positive trend in total sales growth for the Company. In addition, 2006 represents our third consecutive year of double-digit growth in earnings per share."

Fourth Quarter 2006

Sales increased 6% to $2.54 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006, compared to $2.41 billion for the same period in 2005. Diluted earnings per share in the fourth quarter were 70 cents, up 11% compared to 63 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2005.

Mr. Gallagher commented, "In the fourth quarter of 2006, our Automotive Group sales were up 2%, Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, increased sales by 11%, and EIS, our Electrical/Electronics Group, was up 17%. S.P. Richards, our Office Products Group, increased sales by 4%."

Mr. Gallagher concluded, "With another record year behind us, we have now increased sales in 56 of the last 57 years and increased profits in 44 of the last 46 years. We are proud of this record and we feel that it reflects our unending commitment to steady and consistent growth at Genuine Parts Company. As we look ahead, we are well positioned to show additional progress in 2007."

Conference Call

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EST to discuss the results of the quarter, the year and the future outlook. Interested parties may listen by dialing 877-422-4780, conference ID 7774800. A replay will also be available at 800-642-1687, conference ID 7774800, until 12:00 a.m. EST on March 6, 2007.

Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this release, as well as in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or otherwise release to the public and in materials that we make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may relate, for example to our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the growth rate of the market for the Company's products and services, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships, competitive product and pricing pressures, including internet related initiatives, the effectiveness of the Company's promotional, marketing and advertising programs, changes in laws and regulations, including changes in accounting and taxation guidance, the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Forms 10-Q and Form 8-K reports to the SEC.

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.

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