Final answer:
The main difference between a direct-financing lease and a sales-type lease is that the former does not result in immediate gross profit or loss for the lessor, while the latter does.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary difference between a direct-financing lease and a sales-type lease is indeed related to the manufacturer's or dealer's gross profit or loss. In a direct-financing lease, the lessor does not realize any gross profit or loss at the inception of the lease because the carrying amount of the leased asset equals the present value of the lease payments. On the other hand, in a sales-type lease, the lessor recognizes a gross profit or loss at the inception of the lease because the fair value of the leased asset differs from its carrying amount. The main difference between a direct-financing lease and a sales-type lease is that the former does not result in immediate gross profit or loss for the lessor, while the latter does.