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                                                                    Exhibit 99.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Jerry W. Nix, Senior Vice President - Finance
            George W. Kalafut, Executive Vice President - Finance
            & Administration
            (770) 953-1700


                              GENUINE PARTS COMPANY
                       DECLARES REGULAR QUARTERLY DIVIDEND
                      AND ANNOUNCES SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN


Atlanta, Georgia, November 15, 1999 - The Board of Directors of Genuine Parts
Company (NYSE: GPC) today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 26 cents
per share on the Company's common stock.

The dividend is payable January 3, 2000 to shareholders of record December 3,
1999.

Genuine Parts Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has
approved a Shareholder Rights Plan replacing a similar plan adopted in 1989
which expires on November 20, 1999. Unlike the expiring Rights Plan, the new
Rights Plan does not contain a continuing director provision.

Under the new Rights Plan which is effective on November 15, 1999, a dividend of
one Right for each outstanding share of common stock will be distributed to
shareholders of record at the close of business on November 25, 1999.

The Rights will be exercisable only ten days after a person or group acquires
beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company's common stock or commences a
tender or exchange offer to acquire 20% or more of the Company's common stock,
without prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors. If either event
occurs, each Right would entitle its holder (other than the person or group that
exceeded the threshold) to purchase, at an the applicable exercise price, a
number of shares of Genuine Parts Company common stock having a market value
equal to twice such exercise price.

Also, if Genuine Parts Company were to be acquired in a merger or other business
combination initiated by a person or group that had acquired 20% or more of the
Company's outstanding stock, without prior approval of the Company's Board of
Directors, each Right would entitle its holder (other than the person or group
that exceeded the threshold) to purchase, at the applicable exercise price, a
number of common shares in the acquiring company having a market value equal to
twice such exercise price.

Upon being distributed, the Rights will automatically attach to and trade with
all shares of Genuine Parts Company common stock. The Rights will not trade
separately from the common stock unless and until they become exercisable. The
Board of Directors of the Company may amend or terminate the Rights at any time
prior to the Rights becoming exercisable. Unless earlier terminated or exchanged
by the Board of Directors, the Rights will expire on November 15, 2009.


                                    (Cont.)

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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., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary.
S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes product
nationwide in the U.S. and in Western Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group,
EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S.
and Mexico. Genuine Parts Company had 1998 revenues of $6.6 billion and net
income of $355.8 million.

Various statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various
important factors, which are discussed in Genuine Parts Company's most recent
Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.