ok let me try ..... Tern is a not a subsidiary a brand or anything like that.
Its a complete new company, which has no ties to any other company.
The owners of Tern ( Florence and Josh Hon ) happen to own Dahon Global since years. Dahon GLobal was in charge of all Taiwanes built bikes in the past, Dahon GLobal was in charge of worldwide sales of all Dahon bikes( except USA).
They did all the marketing, the shows etc etc etc ... Dahon China was merely building bikes........
All marketing driven changes were coming from Taiwan ...( color, model spec, accessories, etc etc )
Some but not all technical developments came from Taiwan. Some of the major ones have patents ( either by Josh or Dahon Global, which he always owned ) These patents are publich knowledge and are easily found. The Vector and Ios line of bikes for example are completely developed by Dahon Global and have patents on it. ( Not in every country as far as I know, but nether the less )
Dahon China also has patents on hinges and on other things, at the beginning all tech bits were developed by Dr David Hon, later more and more came from Josh and his Team.
Mr David Hon ( Dahon China ) is a super gifted Rocket Scientiest ( no kidding here ) He has singlehandidly make a folding bike which revolutionized the bike world. He has my deepest admiration. He has brilliant ideas and will succeed in the bike biz. I have no doubts that we will see a lot of new and fresh Dahon bikes coming down the pipeline.
( Even if their marketing sucks )

Tern has stepped back and two steps forward with their bike design. Its not the lightest bike, its not the smallest fold, its not this and that .... what it is : is a bike which is solid, all parts are great and fresh, everything is replaceable and serviceable, all of them ride like a dream, not just for short hops, but for much longer distances. Its a bike designed by people who have listened to their dealers, and maybe more important to their customers, and by people who are riding every day. A few bikes in the line up are basically designed around the wishes from people like you, yes here on bikeforum ( and the Dahon ( Global) forum of course)

There are vast differences between the two companies, and their respectibve bikes. Surely there will be one or two models which will be close, but in all reality there are different customers for each of the two brands. I am looking forward of getting the first Terns in and sell them side by side with my beloved Dahons.

and now quit that legal stabs and in particular personal rumors which in both cases most of us have absolutely no idea about.
Its below us here on bikeforums to spread such bs...and keep dragging it on and on ....
Lets rather get exited about all the new folding bikes which will hit the streets...

Peace
Thor