Investment In Joint Ventures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Investment In Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investment In Joint Ventures

NOTE 9 – INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

     On December 11, 2009, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement to establish a new US-China company incorporated as ZAP Hangzhou to design and manufacture electric vehicle and infrastructure technology with Holley Group, the parent company of a global supplier of electric power meters and Better World. Priscilla Lu, Ph.D., who is the current Chairman of the Board of ZAP is also a director and shareholder of Better World. In January of 2011, Holley Group's interest in ZAP Hangzhou was purchased by Alex Wang, Co-CEO and director of ZAP. ZAP and Better World each own 37.5% of the equity shares of ZAP Hangzhou, and Alex Wang owns 25% of the equity shares of ZAP Hangzhou. The joint venture partners have also funded the initial capital requirements under the agreement for a total of $3 million, of which ZAP's portion is $1.1 million.

     In November 2011, Jonway and ZAP Hangzhou jointly set up Shanghai Zapple Electric Vehicle Technologies Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Zapple) with registered capital of RMB 20 million. Jonway and ZAP Hangzhou each own 50% of the equity share of Shanghai Zapple. As of March 31, 2012, Jonway injected RMB 5 million into this joint venture and ZAP Hangzhou injected RMB 3 million. Shanghai Zapple's approved scope of business includes: technical advice, technical development, technical services, technology transfer regarding electric vehicle technology, auto technology, energy technology, material science and technology, sale of commercial vehicle and vehicle for nine seats or more, auto parts, auto supplies, lubricant, mechanical equipment and accessories, business management consulting, industrial investment, exhibition services, business marketing planning, car rental (shall not be engaged in financial leasing), import and export of goods and technologies.

     The carrying amount of the investment in ZAP Hangzhou was $503 and $554 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and the carrying amount of the investment in Shanghai Zapple was $665 and $736 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The carrying amount of the joint ventures is as follows:

		ZAP Hangzhou		Shanghai Zapple		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	554	$	736	$	1,290
Less: investment loss		51		71		122
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	503	$	665	$	1,168

March 31,		2012			2011
Equity method investments losses	$	(119	)	$	(72	)

     The Company recorded a loss of $51 and $72 in ZAP Hangzhou, and a loss of $68 and $0 in Shanghai Zapple for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.  These losses relate to the investment in a non-consolidated joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting.