INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES (Summary of Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Shanghai Zapple [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 ZAP Hangzhou [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 ZAP Hangzhou [Member]
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee [Line Items]
Assets	$ 117,667	$ 115,964	$ 116,707		$ 1,472	$ 1,476	$ 1,682
Liabilities	92,344	87,017			867	33	118
Revenues						$ 81	$ 922