the differences i think come from two trains of thought.
Theory and Practice.
theory = up would be forward, down would be backwards.
practice = hard braking everything shifts forward including your hand...downshift should be forward, acceleration everything moves backwards including your hand...upshift should be backwards (I like this better personally, it feels more natural when you're actually driving)
then you have chrysler and they're like...nope...left and right for down and up.....
