The first news of 2009 for the machine-to-machine (M2M) space includes a new company, a new chief executive and a new 3G embedded modem.

RFID specialist SAVR Communications announced that it has created a new company, OnAsset Intelligence – and sold itself to that company – thereby making SAVR the RFID subsidiary of OnAsset, which will specialize in M2M monitoring.

“OnAsset will focus on helping companies wirelessly locate, track, connect, control and manage fixed and mobile assets in real-time via integrated solutions enabled by their turnkey products and services. The naming of the new company was selected to align with SAVR Communications’ already successful OnAsset Platform,” officials said in a statement today.

“We are seeing immense business opportunity and ROI for our customers as they deploy more and more intelligent assets into the field. We created the new company to focus growth on this sector and ensure that our brand accurately reflects what we do,” CEO Adam Crossno said.

SAVR itself will continue with its business as usual.

In the European M2M field, Mach Group appointed Guy Dubois as its new CEO and president, replacing Martin Lippert who will remain on the board. Dubois was previously on the board and was an executive vice president at Amdocs.

Meanwhile, Novatel Wireless announced its new E760 mini-card module, targeted for OEMs and device manufacturers who need a North American 3G connection.  The module includes dynamic switching and a compact design, officials said. It can also run Novatel’s NovaSpeed software and network traffic prioritization protocol.