Shipments in manufactured durable goods were disappointing in August, with a 1.4 percent drop from July, following a two-month uptick in shipments
, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau released Friday. Durable goods shipments fell $2.4 billion to $171.3 billion, compared to a 2.3 percent increase in July.
(Durable goods include large items such as refrigerators and air conditioners; truckers haul both the finished products and components that go into the making of them.)
New orders also saw a decline in August, losing $4.4 billion, or 2.6 percent, to $164.1 billion. This is the second of the last three months the figure has been down.
Unfilled orders were down for the eleventh straight month, slipping 0.4 percent to $736.8 billion. This was the longest streak of consecutive monthly decreases since 1992 and followed a 0.1 percent July decrease.
After seven consecutive months of declines, August marked the eighth month of decreases for inventories of durable goods. Inventories fell $4.5 billion or 1.4 percent to $308.4 billion, following a 1.2 percent July decrease.
To view the full census report, click here.
Durable Goods Shipments Fall After Hopeful Two Months
Shipments in manufactured durable goods were disappointing in August, with a 1.4 percent drop from July, following a two-month uptick in shipment
More Fleet Management

BeyondTrucks Targets Rate Complexity with New AI RateAgents
BeyondTrucks says its new RateAgents can turn plain-language rate logic into working code, starting with fuel surcharges — a critical but notoriously complex piece of carrier revenue.
Read More →
Volvo Sees Market ‘Tipping Point’ as New VNL Orders Surge
Soft freight conditions persist, but aging fleets, strong order intake, and new-product momentum signal a more optimistic second half of 2026, Volvo Trucks North America says.
Read More →
Cargo Theft’s New Playbook: Strategic Fraud, Double Brokering, and Cybercrime Hit Trucking
Cargo theft is evolving from regional smash-and-grab operations to sophisticated fraud schemes. Strategic theft now accounts for roughly a third of cargo crime, with incidents rising sharply in recent years. Here’s how the schemes work — and what fleets can do to protect themselves.
Read More →
HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
Q&A: What's Real in Advanced Truck Tech? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In
The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.
Read More →
Trucking's Digital Frontier: AI, Connected Vehicles, Alternative Fuels and More
There's an amazing amount of new technology for trucking out there. For fleets, the challenge is figuring out what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s worth investing in.
Read More →
What's Real in Advanced Truck Technology? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In
Artificial intelligence, the software-defined vehicle, telematics, autonomous trucks, electric trucks and alternative fuels, and more in this HDT Talks Trucking interview
Read More →
ACT: Trucking Volumes Rise, Capacity Tightens as Fuel Prices Cloud Outlook
ACT Research data shows volumes hitting a four-year high and supply-demand balance strengthening, but higher oil prices are undercutting tariff relief and tempering optimism.
Read More →
Wabash Teams Physical Security With Digital Tech For Better Cargo Visibility
The patent-pending cargo solution integrates a digitally connected cargo door and an intelligent locking system with the TrailerHawk.AI technology platform.
Read More →
