Gran Turismo 3 made news when it first released in Japan, and it looks like it's doing the same here in North America

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) was certainly swift in letting us know today that their latest PS2 racing title, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, has shattered console game sales records with one million units shipped in just the first week.

"Since its release on July 10, retailers nationwide are hailing Gran Turismo 3 A-spec as the most successful software launch ever with first day sales surpassing those of any other game in history, an impressive feat for a platform that has been in the marketplace for less than nine months."

"With an initial product shipments of over one million units, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec broke all internal production records out of the gate exceeding even our high expectations for the product," said Jack Tretton, senior vice president, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "We expect that, like the two Gran Turismo titles before it, Gran Turismo 3 will become a mainstay on the top of sales charts and drive hardware sales along with it..."

"Consumer demand for Gran Turismo 3 A-spec has been astounding," said Dan DeMatteo, chief operating officer, GameStop, Inc. "Throughout our stores nationwide, we sold more units of Gran Turismo 3 A-spec on its first day of release than any other game in our corporate history, and the title continues to fly off shelves at an unparalleled rate."

A national promotion (US only) to support the launch of Gran Turismo 3 A-spec is running through January 31, 2002. Consumers can enter the Gran Turismo 3 "Decode & Drive" Sweepstakes through an instant win game piece packed in with specially marked standalone copies of Gran Turismo 3 A-spec at participating videogame retailers. One grand-prize winner from the Gran Turismo 3 "Decode & Drive" Sweepstakes will receive free car payments for one year.

Check up on the initial buzz we've collected for you at our own GT3 product page.