Volkswagen has stopped sales in the European Union of the remaining new cars that contain the diesel engine fitted with the software that was used to cheat on US emissions tests.

The company confirmed a report in the weekly Automobilwoche that it has halted sales of as-yet unregistered cars with the EA 189 engine that are still with dealers, or in storage.

It said the measure affects a "very limited", though unspecified, number of vehicles.

More recent models with engines in the "euro 6" emissions category are not affected by the scandal.

Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU but has close trading ties with the bloc, last month banned sales of new VW cars with the affected engine.