EX-99.1

Atlanta, Georgia, April 17, 2006 — Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) reported record sales and earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006. Thomas C. Gallagher, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that sales totaling $2.6 billion were up 9% compared to the first quarter of 2005. Net income for the quarter was $113.9 million, an increase of 7% over $106.6 million recorded in the same period of the previous year. Earnings per share on a diluted basis were 66 cents, up 8% compared to 61 cents for the first quarter last year.

Mr. Gallagher commented, “We are pleased to report good sales and earnings growth for the first quarter of 2006. As has been the pattern for the past few years, each of our four business segments contributed to our overall sales growth for the quarter. Motion Industries, our Industrial Group, grew sales by 12%. This follows double-digit sales increases in 2005 and 2004 and we anticipate another good year from our industrial operations. The Automotive Group reported a 5% sales increase for the quarter. Within this group, the core NAPA business was actually a bit stronger, posting a 7% sales increase. S.P. Richards, our Office Products Group, generated a 13% sales increase for the quarter and EIS, our Electrical Group, was up 13% also.”

Mr. Gallagher added, “The balance sheet at March 31, 2006 remains in excellent condition and we continue to strengthen our financial position through strong earnings growth and initiatives to improve working capital. The Company also continues to generate consistent and strong cash flows and our cash position is quite strong.”

Mr. Gallagher concluded, “We are encouraged by the opportunity to have another good year in 2006. The outlook for continued growth in each of our businesses remains positive. Favorable market conditions combined with the proper execution of our growth initiatives should enable us to produce another year of steady sales growth and, in turn, solid earnings results.”

Genuine Parts Company will hold a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the results of the quarter and the future outlook. Interested parties may listen by dialing 877-422-4780, conference ID 7017461. A replay will also be available at 800-642-1687, conference ID 7017461, two hours after the completion of the conference call until 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on May 1, 2006.

Some statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s beliefs, expectations, and plans as of the present time. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 in Canada through its Motion Industries subsidiary. S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes product nationwide in the U.S. and in Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S. and in Canada and Mexico.

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2006		2005
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales	$	2,553,552	$	2,342,201
Cost of goods sold		1,750,075		1,605,721

		803,477		736,480
Selling, administrative & other expenses		618,982		564,270

Income before income taxes		184,495		172,210
Income taxes		70,570		65,612

Net income	$	113,925	$	106,598

Basic net income per common share	$	.66	$	.61
Diluted net income per common share	$	.66	$	.61
Weighted average common shares outstanding		172,773		174,772
Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards		912		1,264

Weighted average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution		173,685		176,036

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2006			2005
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except ratio analysis)

Net sales:
Automotive	$	1,227,789		$	1,168,955
Industrial		771,227			686,740
Office Products		465,955			410,929
Electrical/Electronic Materials		95,469			84,289
Other (1)		(6,888	)		(8,712	)

Total net sales	$	2,553,552		$	2,342,201


Operating profit:
Automotive	$	95,856		$	95,307
Industrial		57,515			48,253
Office Products		47,696			46,027
Electrical/Electronic Materials		4,853			3,309

Total operating profit		205,920			192,896
Interest expense, net		(7,172	)		(7,947	)
Other, net		(14,253	)		(12,739	)

Income before income taxes	$	184,495		$	172,210

Capital expenditures	$	27,521		$	20,768

Depreciation and amortization	$	17,623		$	17,071

Current ratio		3.1/1			3.1/1

Total debt to total capitalization		15.5	%		16.3	%

(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


	March 31,		March 31,
	2006		2005
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	150,171	$	157,817
Trade accounts receivable		1,297,836		1,195,034
Merchandise inventories		2,184,823		2,149,814
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		198,591		186,837

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		3,831,421		3,689,502
Goodwill and other intangible assets		62,611		57,583
Other assets		520,930		404,300
Total property, plant and equipment, net		400,444		379,587

TOTAL ASSETS	$	4,815,406	$	4,530,972

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable	$	954,276	$	878,640
Other borrowings		-0-		897
Income taxes payable		83,517		98,994
Dividends payable		58,288		54,630
Other current liabilities		153,757		147,165

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		1,249,838		1,180,326
Long-term debt		500,000		500,000
Other long-term liabilities		119,224		112,305
Deferred income taxes		156,814		116,689
Minority interests in subsidiaries		57,571		53,052
Common stock		172,678		174,450
Retained earnings and other		2,559,281		2,394,150

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		2,731,959		2,568,600

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	4,815,406	$	4,530,972

GENUINE PARTS COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2006			2005
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	113,925		$	106,598

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		17,623			17,071
Other		2,017			2,525
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		(73,510	)		(9,983	)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		60,055			116,211

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(27,521	)		(20,768	)
Other		1,733			6,804

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(25,788	)		(13,964	)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net payments on credit facilities		(881	)		(71	)
Stock options exercised		3,209			4,162
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		1,349			-0-
Dividends paid		(54,141	)		(52,495	)
Purchase of stock		(22,543	)		(30,966	)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(73,007	)		(79,370	)

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(38,740	)		22,877
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		188,911			134,940

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	150,171		$	157,817


Contact:		Jerry W. Nix, Vice Chairman and CFO (770) 612-2048