-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Q3Ir94ApRuSiSU5YKmr6OVjbJSuRtETOWiBlF7ZAPa8EJ9qE3HHmlPmS5OpX9b9w
 12p28uWvFich2ITlpWBNVQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-008830.txt : 20050214
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-008830.hdr.sgml : 20050214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050214085640
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-008830
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050214

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENUINE PARTS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040987
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLIES & NEW PARTS [5013]
		IRS NUMBER:				580254510
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2999 CIRCLE 75 PARKWAY
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4049531700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2999 CIRCLE 75 PARKWAY
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30339

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILLIAMS JAMES B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001014184

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05690
		FILM NUMBER:		05602492

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUNTRUST BANKS INC
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4418 MC 643
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4045887165

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUNTRUST BANKS INC
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4418 MC643
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30302
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc5.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040987</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENUINE PARTS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GPC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001014184</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILLIAMS JAMES B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SUNTRUST BANKS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>PO BOX 4418 MC 643</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30302</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29999</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>14272</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14272</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Security converts to Common Stock on a one for one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Exercisable and expiration date is equal to effective retirement date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Carol Yancey Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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