gpc-20210708

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

001-05690

58-0254510

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2999 WILDWOOD PARKWAY,

ATLANTA,

30339

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CF.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share	GPC	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On July 8, 2021, the Washington Supreme Court overturned the order of the Washington Court of Appeals reversing damages of $77 million awarded against Genuine Parts Company (“the Company”) in a previously disclosed litigated automotive product liability dispute from 2017. Today’s ruling reinstated the damage award against the Company in the amount of $77 million. The Company continues to believe that the verdict was not supported by the facts or the law and was contrary to the Company’s role in the automotive parts industry. The Company also continues to believe this matter will not have a material impact to its results or outlook for 2021.

This information shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise incorporated by reference into any filing pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.

Forward Looking Statements

This Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements that represent our current judgment about possible future events. These forward-looking statements include the Company's belief that the ruling by the Washington Supreme Court regarding the product liability dispute involving the Company will not have a material impact to its results or outlook for 2021. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. 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. A list and description of these factors can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Genuine Parts Company

Date: July 8, 2021

By:

/s/ Carol B. Yancey

Name: Carol B. Yancey

Title: Executive Vice President and CFO