EX-99.1

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
REPORTS SALES AND EARNINGS
FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Atlanta, Georgia, October 16, 2009 — Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) reported sales and earnings for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. Thomas C. Gallagher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that sales totaling $2.6 billion were down 10% compared to the third quarter of 2008. Net income for the quarter was $107.6 million, a decrease of 18% from $131.0 million recorded in the same period of the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were 67 cents, down 17% compared to 81 cents for the third quarter last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, sales totaled $7.6 billion, down 11% compared to the same period in 2008. Net income for the nine months was $300.4 million, a decrease of 23% from $387.6 million recorded in the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were $1.88, down 20% compared to $2.36 for the same period last year.

In review of the quarter, Mr. Gallagher commented, “The Automotive Group reported a 1% decrease in sales for the quarter, which is improved from the 7% and 5% sales declines reported for this group in the first and second quarters, respectively. S.P. Richards, our Office Products Group, was down 5% and this compares to a 7% sales decrease in the first quarter and a 6% decrease last quarter. Sales for the Industrial and Electrical Groups were down significantly, but they were consistent with their results for the second quarter, which we believe is a reflection of stabilizing conditions in the manufacturing segment of the economy. Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, had a 22% sales decrease in the quarter, and EIS, our Electrical Group, had a 30% decrease.”

Mr. Gallagher added, “The balance sheet at September 30, 2009 remains in excellent condition and we continue to strengthen our financial position through working capital and asset management initiatives, cost reduction efforts and steady and strong cash flows. The Company’s sound cash position provides us with significant financial flexibility and our priorities for cash in several key areas serve to maximize the total return to shareholders.”

Mr. Gallagher concluded, “2009 has proven to be a challenging year for GPC. However, we continue to have confidence in the long-term positive fundamentals for all four of our business segments. Our primary focus currently is to keep the balance sheet strong and to position each of our businesses to show improved sales and earnings results as the economy begins to improve.”

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss the results of the quarter and the future outlook. Interested parties may listen to the call on the Company’s website, www.genpt.com, by clicking “Investor Services”, or by dialing 877-316-2549, conference ID 85294980. A replay will also be available on the Company’s website or at 800-642-1687, conference ID 85294980, two hours after the completion of the conference call until 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on October 31, 2009.

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, the ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships, changes in general economic conditions, the growth rate of the market for the Company’s products and services, competitive product, service and pricing pressures, including internet related initiatives, the effectiveness of the Company’s promotional, marketing and advertising programs, changes in financial markets, including particularly the capital and credit markets, 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 except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Form 10-Q, 10-K, 8-K and other reports to the SEC.

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.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	Three Months Ended Sept. 30,				Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
	2009		2008		2009		2008
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales	$	2,606,757	$	2,882,115	$	7,586,298	$	8,495,073
Cost of goods sold		1,841,511		2,033,110		5,343,996		5,974,372

		765,246		849,005		2,242,302		2,520,701
Selling, administrative & other expenses		594,540		638,163		1,760,878		1,902,467

Income before income taxes		170,706		210,842		481,424		618,234
Income taxes		63,067		79,825		181,016		230,601

Net income	$	107,639	$	131,017	$	300,408	$	387,633

Basic net income per common share	$	.67	$	.81	$	1.88	$	2.37
Diluted net income per common share	$	.67	$	.81	$	1.88	$	2.36
Weighted average common shares outstanding		159,541		161,603		159,500		163,324
Dilutive effect of stock options and
Non-vested restricted stock awards		335		673		268		689

Weighted average common shares outstanding –
assuming dilution		159,876		162,276		159,768		164,013

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


	Three Months Ended Sept. 30,						Nine Months Ended Sept. 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Net sales:
Automotive	$	1,381,578		$	1,393,118		$	3,960,743		$	4,127,518
Industrial		711,471			907,015			2,149,200			2,686,297
Office Products		436,287			458,968			1,255,169			1,332,167
Electrical/Electronic Materials		89,364			126,827			256,106			363,712
Other (1)		(11,943	)		(3,813	)		(34,920	)		(14,621	)

Total net sales	$	2,606,757		$	2,882,115		$	7,586,298		$	8,495,073

Operating profit:
Automotive	$	107,735		$	111,730		$	312,919		$	317,888
Industrial		36,495			77,220			102,113			222,781
Office Products		26,692			33,426			99,081			114,721
Electrical/Electronic Materials		6,802			10,272			17,560			29,175

Total operating profit		177,724			232,648			531,673			684,565
Interest expense, net		(6,662	)		(7,391	)		(20,510	)		(21,877	)
Other, net		(356	)		(14,415	)		(29,739	)		(44,454	)

Income before income taxes	$	170,706		$	210,842		$	481,424		$	618,234

Capital expenditures	$	12,405		$	15,761		$	49,360		$	60,091

Depreciation and amortization	$	22,562		$	21,768		$	67,494		$	66,469

(1)

Represents the net effect of discounts, incentives and freight billed reported as a component of net sales.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	Sept. 30,		Sept. 30,
	2009		2008
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	363,133	$	124,428
Trade accounts receivable, net		1,250,575		1,350,568
Merchandise inventories, net		2,188,133		2,318,215
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		232,450		279,932

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		4,034,291		4,073,143
Goodwill and other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization		171,573		147,940
Other assets		285,730		185,420
Net property, plant and equipment		485,647		412,755

TOTAL ASSETS	$	4,977,241	$	4,819,258


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable	$	1,124,276	$	1,070,513
Current portion of debt		—		250,000
Income taxes payable		56,997		18,506
Dividends payable		63,819		63,003
Other current liabilities		199,419		223,634

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		1,444,511		1,625,656
Long-term debt		500,000		250,000
Other long-term liabilities		128,729		115,027
Retirement and other post-retirement benefit liabilities		289,659		91,031
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		7,447		68,439
Common stock		159,552		160,557
Retained earnings and other		2,447,343		2,508,548

TOTAL EQUITY		2,614,342		2,737,544

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	4,977,241	$	4,819,258

NOTE: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Nine Months Ended
	Sept. 30,
	2009			2008
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	300,408		$	387,633
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		67,494			66,469
Other		8,563			13,067
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		390,038			1,836

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		766,503			469,005
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(49,360	)		(60,091	)
Acquisitions and other		(123,047	)		(98,735	)
Purchase of properties under construction and lease agreement		(72,811	)		—

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(245,218	)		(158,826	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Stock options exercised		2,178			1,364
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		63			313
Dividends paid		(189,739	)		(188,805	)
Changes in cash overdraft position		(52,000	)		—
Purchase of stock		(159	)		(228,863	)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(239,657	)		(415,991	)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH		13,728			(1,597	)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		295,356			(107,409	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		67,777			231,837

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	363,133		$	124,428


Contacts:		Jerry W. Nix, Vice Chairman and CFO – (770) 612-2048 Sidney G. Jones, Vice President-Investor Relations – (770) 818-4628