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Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies And Use Of Estimates [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The more significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, contractual allowances and uncollectible accounts, intangible assets, accrued liabilities, derivative liabilities, income taxes, litigation and contingencies. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for judgments about results and the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results and values may differ significantly from these estimates.

Concentration Of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company's operations are all carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC's economy. The Company's operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

Financial instruments which subject the Company to potential credit risk consist of its cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with several high credit quality financial institutions. Deposits may exceed the amount of insurance provided; however, these deposits typically are redeemable upon demand and, therefore, the Company believes the financial risks associated with these financial instruments are minimal. The Company has not experienced any losses to date on its deposits.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers, and generally does not require collateral on its accounts receivable. The Company estimates the need for allowances for potential credit losses based on historical collection activity and the facts and circumstances relevant to specific customers and records a provision for uncollectible accounts when collection is uncertain. The Company has not experienced significant credit related losses to date.

The Company currently relies on various outside contract manufacturers in China to supply electric vehicles and products for its customers. Although management believes that other contract manufactures could provide similar services and intends to transition its manufacturing to Jonway's facilities in Sanmen, China, but, if these Chinese companies are unable to supply electric vehicles and the Company is unable to transition manufacturing to Jonway's facilities or find alternative sources for these product and services, the Company might not be able to fill existing backorders and/or sell more electric vehicles. Any significant manufacturing interruption could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenues for non-Jonway sales when all of the following criteria have been met:

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. The Company generally relies upon sales contracts or agreements, and customer purchase orders to determine the existence of an arrangement.

Sales price is fixed or determinable. The Company assesses whether the sales price is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment.

Delivery has occurred. The Company uses shipping terms and related documents, or written evidence of customer acceptance, when applicable, to verify delivery or performance. The Company's customary shipping terms are FOB shipping point.

Collectability is reasonably assured. The Company assesses collectability based on creditworthiness of customers as determined by our credit checks and their payment histories. The Company records accounts receivable net of allowance for doubtful accounts and estimated customer returns.

The Company provides no price protection. Sales are recognized net of sale discounts, rebates and return allowances.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the grant date. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (the "Black-Scholes model"). The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method. We estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise our estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards and warrants granted to non-employees by determining the fair value of the warrants or stock-based compensation awards granted as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. If the fair value of equity instruments issued is used, it is measured using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either (1) the date at which commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or (2) the date at which the counterparty's performance is complete.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. To the extent a deferred tax asset cannot be recognized under the preceding criteria, allowances are established.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiary/investments maintain their accounting records in United States Dollars ("US$") whereas Jonway Auto maintains its accounting records in the currency of Chinese Renminbi ("RMB"), being the primary currency of the economic environment in which their operations are conducted.

Jonway Auto's principal country of operations is the PRC. The financial position and results of these operations are determined using RMB, the local currency, as the functional currency. The results of operations and the statement of cash flows denominated in foreign currency are translated at the average rate of exchange during the reporting period. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. The equity denominated in the functional currency is translated at the historical rate of exchange at the time of capital contribution. Due to the fact that cash flows are translated based on the average translation rate, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholder's equity as "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income."

The value of RMB against US$ and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China's political and economic conditions, any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect our financial condition in terms of US$ reporting.

Loss Per Share

Loss per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing consolidated net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company's potentially dilutive shares, which include outstanding stock options, convertible debt and warrants, have not been included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for all periods presented as the result would be anti-dilutive. Such potentially dilutive shares are excluded when the effect would be to reduce a net loss per share. Outstanding common stock options, warrants and debentures totaled 86.4 million shares and 100.7 million shares at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. ZAP also had outstanding convertible debt, which is convertible into 188 million shares of ZAP common stock at June 30, 2012.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company invests its excess cash in short-term investments with various banks and financial institutions. Short-term investments are cash equivalents, as they are part of the cash management activities of the Company and are comprised of investments having maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents

Restricted Cash

The Company has cash restricted in connection with the issuance of bank acceptance notes to various suppliers of spare parts which were issued through Jonway's banks. To issue these bank acceptance notes to Jonway's suppliers, the banks require a deposit of approximately 40-60% of the full amount of such notes which are payable within 6 months from issuance. Upon the maturity date, restricted funds will be used to settle the bank acceptance notes.

Marketable Securities

The Company has an investment that is comprised of marketable equity securities, which are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value, the value of which fluctuates with the stock market value. The securities are shares of Samyang Optics Co., Ltd., which shares are traded on the Korean stock exchange. ZAP's ownership is not material to Samyang Optics Co., Ltd. Net unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are reported as a separate component of shareholders' deficit, except where holding losses are determined to be "other-than-temporary", whereby the losses are reported in gains and losses on investments in the consolidated statement of operations. Gains and losses on disposals of marketable equity securities are determined using the specific identification method.

Accounts And Notes Receivable

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts receivable consist mainly of receivables from our established dealer network. Notes receivable balances consist of bank acceptance notes received from various Jonway dealers to finance such dealer's purchase of our vehicles products. These bank acceptance notes can be endorsed to settle the payables to Jonway suppliers or discounted to fund cash flows. These notes are a means of financing working capital for orders that were placed by these dealers. A credit review is performed by the Company before the dealer is approved to purchase vehicles form the Company. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its dealers, and generally does not require collateral on its accounts receivable. The Company estimates the need for allowances for potential credit losses based on historical collection activity and the facts and circumstances relevant to specific customers and records a provision for uncollectible accounts when collection is uncertain. The Company has not experienced significant credit related losses to date. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $15,000 and $9,000 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. For certain of the Company's financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturities. The fair value of debt is not determinable due to the terms of the debt and the lack of a comparable market for such debt. These tiers include:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are directly or indirectly observable;

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions and methodologies that result in management's best estimate of fair value.

The change in fair value of derivative liabilities is classified in other income (expense) in the Company's statement of operations. The fair value of the Company's derivative liabilities related to stock purchase warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model – a Level 3 input.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company generally does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow or market risks. However, certain other financial instruments, such as warrants, are classified as liabilities when either (a) the holder possesses rights to net-cash settlement or (b) physical or net-share settlement is not within the control of the Company. In such instances, net-cash settlement is assumed for financial accounting and reporting, even when the terms of the underlying contracts do not provide for net-cash settlement. Such financial instruments are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the close of each reporting period.

The Company accounts for derivative instruments and debt instruments in accordance with the interpretative guidance of ASC 815 ("Derivatives and Hedging"). It is necessary for the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates to value derivatives and debt instruments.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, derivative liabilities were converted into 4.3 million shares of ZAP stock. At June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2012, the Company did not have any derivative liabilities.

The following table set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of Level 3 liabilities for the 3 months ended June 30, 2011 (in thousands):


	Balance		Exercise			Change in		Balance
	3/31/2011		of warrants			fair value		6/30/2011
Derivative Liabilities	$	201	$	(70	)	$	10	$	0

The following table summarizes those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

June 30, 2012


Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value Measurements
Marketable Securities (1)	$	1,289		—		—	$	1,289

December 31, 2011


Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value Measurements
Marketable Securities (1)	$	1,830		—		—	$	1,830

____________

(1)

Marketable securities consist of common stock of a related party. The fair value of marketable securities is based upon market value quoted by Korean stock exchange

The Company's other financial instruments at June 30, 2012 consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and debt. For the period ended June 30, 2012 the Company did not have any derivative financial instruments. The Company believes the reported carrying amounts of its accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value, based upon the short-term nature of these accounts. The carrying value of the Company's loan agreements approximate fair value as each of the loans bears interest at a floating rate.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of vehicles, both gas and electric, parts and supplies, and work in progress and are carried at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis for ZAP and moving average basis for Jonway) or market (net realizable value or replacement cost). The Company maintains reserves for estimated excess, obsolete and damaged inventory based on projected future shipments using historical selling rates, and taking into account market conditions, inventory on-hand, purchase commitments, product development plans and life expectancy, and competitive factors. If markets for the Company's products and corresponding demand were to decline, then additional reserves may be deemed necessary. Any changes to the Company's estimates of its reserves are reflected in cost of goods sold within the statement of operations during the period in which such changes are determined by management.

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of land, building and improvements, machinery and equipment, office furniture and equipment, vehicles, and leasehold improvements. Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, and is depreciated or amortized using straight-line method over the asset's estimated useful life. Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Leasehold improvements are amortized over 10 years using the straight-line method.

Land Use Rights

Land use Rights

Under PRC law, all land in the PRC is permanently owned by the government and cannot be sold to an individual or company but companies can purchase the land use rights for the specified period of time, as in our industry the industrial purpose has a useful life of 50 years. The government grants individuals and companies the right to use parcels of land for specified periods of time. These land use rights are sometimes referred to informally as "ownership". Land use rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the respective useful lives, using the straight –line method. Estimated useful life is 50 years, and is determined in the connection with the term of the land use right.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets are comprised of property and equipment and intangible assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. An estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the asset, or by the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flow and fundamental analysis. The Company reports an asset to be disposed of at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated net realizable value.

Intangible Assets-Finite

Intangible Assets-Finite

Intangible assets consist of patents, trademarks, land use rights, government approvals and customer relationships (including client contracts). For financial statement purposes, identifiable intangible assets with a defined life are being amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of seven years for the EPA license and 8.5 years for the customer relationships. Costs incurred by the Company in connection with patent, trademark applications and approvals from governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, including legal fees, patent and trademark fees and specific testing costs, are expensed as incurred. Purchased intangible costs of completed developments are capitalized and amortized over an estimated economic life of the asset, generally seven years, commencing on the acquisition date. Costs subsequent to the acquisition date are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets - Indefinite

Goodwill and Intangible Assets – Indefinite

Goodwill and intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance applicable accounting principles. The Company assesses annually whether there is an indication that goodwill is impaired, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired during the year. The Company performs its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year. Calculating the fair value of the reporting units requires significant estimates and assumptions by management. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, there is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired and a second step of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of the impairment to be recognized, if any.

Non-Controlling Interests

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a statement which established accounting and reporting standards that require non-controlling interests (previously referred to as minority interest) to be reported as a component of equity, changes in a parent's ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, and upon a loss of control, retained ownership interest will be re-measured at fair value, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings.

On January 21, the Company acquired 51% of Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd from Jonway Group, a related party, who holds a 49% of the remaining interest in Jonway Auto. (See Note 4) Pursuant to the Jonway Acquisition Agreement, ZAP had the right to acquire the remaining 49% of Jonway at the same valuation, which expired on March 31, 2011. To account for the expired option, we recorded a reduction of common stock.

Product Warranty Costs

Product warranty Costs

The Company provides 30 to 90 day warranties on its personal electric products, including the ZAPPY3 and the Zapino scooters, six month warranties for the Xebra®, the ZAPTRUCK XL, the ZAPVAN Shuttle vehicles, and a six month warranty for Xebra® vehicles repaired by ZAP pursuant to its product recall. The Company records the estimated cost of the product warranties at the time of sale using the estimated costs of products warranties based on historical results. The estimated cost of warranties has not been significant to date. Should actual failure rates and material usage differ from our estimates, revisions to the warranty obligation may be required.

The Company provides a 2-year or 60,000 kilometer mileage warranty for its Jonway SUV products. The Company records the estimated cost of the product warranties at the time of sale using the estimated cost of product warranties based on historical results. The estimated cost of warranties has not been significant to date. Should actual failure rates and material usage differ from our estimates, revisions to the warranty obligation may be required

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss represents the net loss for the period plus the results of certain changes to shareholders' equity that are not reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company's comprehensive loss consists of net losses, foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized net losses on investments.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts from prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.