SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule of Segment Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,971	$ 5,356	$ 6,353	$ 13,718
Gross profit (loss)	(724)	(271)	(658)	(783)
Depreciation and amortization	1,955	2,106	3,877	4,198
Net loss	(3,377)	(5,477)	(6,766)	(10,153)
Total assets	75,455	86,207	75,455	86,207	$ 79,650
Jonway Auto [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,966	5,331	6,344	13,517
Gross profit (loss)	(725)	(278)	(660)	(865)
Depreciation and amortization	1,955	1,455	3,226	2,890
Net loss	(2,183)	(4,023)	(4,413)	(7,294)
Total assets	62,105	67,925	62,105	67,925
ZAP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5	25	9	201
Gross profit (loss)	1	7	2	82
Depreciation and amortization		651	651	1,308
Net loss	(1,194)	(1,454)	(2,353)	(2,859)
Total assets	13,350	18,273	13,350	18,273
ZAP Hong Kong [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss
Total assets		$ 9		$ 9