SEGMENT REPORTING (Schedule of Segment Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,286	$ 7,154	$ 9,639	$ 20,872
Gross profit (loss)	(379)	(194)	(1,037)	(977)
Depreciation and amortization	1,948	2,016	5,825	6,214
Net loss	(3,317)	(3,714)	(10,083)	(13,867)
Total assets	68,793	81,655	68,793	81,655	$ 79,650
Jonway Auto [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,279	7,089	9,623	20,606
Gross profit (loss)	(380)	(189)	(1,040)	(1,054)
Depreciation and amortization	684	1,363	3,910	4,253
Net loss	(2,185)	(2,235)	(6,598)	(9,529)
Total assets	56,008	63,904	56,008	63,904
ZAP [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	7	65	16	266
Gross profit (loss)	1	(5)	3	77
Depreciation and amortization	1,264	653	1,915	1,961
Net loss	(1,132)	(1,479)	(3,485)	(4,338)
Total assets	12,785	17,742	12,785	17,742
ZAP Hong Kong [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales
Gross profit (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Net loss
Total assets		$ 9		$ 9