INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Narrative) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] CNY	Sep. 30, 2012 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Shanghai Zapple [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Better World [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Alex Wang [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Dec. 11, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] ZAP [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Dec. 11, 2011 ZAP Hangzhou [Member] Shanghai Zapple [Member] CNY	Dec. 11, 2011 ZAP, Alex Wang, And Better World [Member] ZAP Hangzhou [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co., Ltd. [Member] Shanghai Zapple [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage					37.50%					37.50%	25.00%		50.00%			50.00%
Original registered capital of joint venture							20,000
Joint venture, capital investment							5,000					1,100		3,000	3,000
Equity method investment losses	$ 25	$ 64	$ 296	$ 225	$ 92	$ 161		$ 204	$ 0