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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23


                         Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Genuine Parts Company of our report dated February 2, 2001, included in the
2000 Annual Report to Shareholders of Genuine Parts Company.

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Genuine Parts
Company listed in Item 14(d). This schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our
audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
of Genuine Parts Company listed below of our report dated February 2, 2001, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Genuine Parts
Company incorporated by reference or included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2000.


-     Registration Statement No. 33-62512 on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1992
      Stock Option and Incentive Plan

-     Registration Statement No. 333-21969 on Form S-8 pertaining to the
      Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan


-     Registration Statement No. 333-61611 on Form S-8 pertaining to the
      Assumed Stock Options Under the Electrical Insulation Suppliers, Inc.
      1993 Incentive Plan


-     Registration Statement No. 333-76639 on Form S-8 pertaining to the
      Genuine Parts Company 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan


                                                  /s/ Ernst & Young, LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
March 9, 2001