ATLANTA — The Board of Directors of Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE: GPC) declared a 10 percent increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend for 2011. The Board increased the cash dividend payable to an annual rate of $1.80 per share compared with the previous dividend of $1.64 per share. The quarterly cash dividend of 45 cents per share is payable April 1, 2011, to shareholders of record March 11, 2011. GPC has paid a cash dividend every year since going public in 1948, and 2011 marks the 55th consecutive year of increased dividends paid to shareholders.

Genuine Parts Co. also announced the election of John R. Holder as a new director of the company. Holder is chairman and chief executive officer of Holder Properties in Atlanta, Ga., and has held these positions since 1989 and 1980, respectively. Tom Gallagher, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Genuine Parts Co., stated, "John Holder brings with him great leadership skills and a wealth of business experience. John is sure to be a valuable member to our Board, and we are fortunate to have him serve with us."