Increasingly stringent legislation on CO₂ emissions as well as newly designed, more demanding test cycles including real driving situations are causing a paradigm change. Electrification is advancing, and powertrains need to be dimensioned more strongly within the integrated network of combustion engine, transmission and electrification. Thematically, the focus of this international conference is on powertrain synthesis, whereas components and vehicle integration form the basis. This is because the cause-effect relationships are becoming more and more complex, digitalization is on the increase and different markets need to be served. Systems thinking, intelligent management and new development methods play crucial roles here.