The AMC Hornet was made by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1970 to 1977. The car was designed as a compact model and replaced the compact Rambler in the Canadian and American markets. The car was also available for sale in foreign markets.

The Hornet was assembled in countries such as Mexico, Australia and South Africa under a license agreement with American Motors Corporation. The AMC Hornet car and platform became an important one for AMC. This platform was used by AMC in one of several forms for 18 years until 1988. The design outlasted all compact platforms from competing car manufacturers including Chevrolet Nova, Plymouth Valiant and Ford Maverick. AMC's Gremlin, Spirit, Concord and the AMC Eagle all-wheel drive where all based on the Hornet.

Based on the AMC Vixen and Cavalier show cars, the Hornet was developed so that AMC could do battle with import car makers. The Hornet was in development for three years and a cost of $40 million dollars before it finally came to market. This car was an all-new design and shared no major body components with other vehicles. The chassis and drivetrain of the AMC Rambler were used, as well as the new front end suspension and anti-brake drive developed for AMC's larger model cars. This car became the first in a line of new car models that were introduced by AMC for three years following. The car marked AMC's return as a niche marketer that specialized in small cars. The AMC Hornet became one of the American Motor Corporation's bestsellers.

The base model had a low retail price of $1,994 and it was considered an economical family car. In its first year of production it was offered as a four-door notchback sedan and as a two-door model. A station wagon was added in 1971. AMC introduced its new 12 month bumper-to-bumper warranty during 1972. The Hornet was promoted as a "tough little car", but if anything should go wrong with it, AMC would repair it. In 1973, a two-door hatchback was introduced in the Hornet lineup. Because AMC improved its product quality and had developed its warranty program, the car manufacturer achieved record profits. Until 1977, the Hornet styling remained essentially the same. In 1978, production of the Hornet was stopped as it was redesigned to become the 1978 Concord. This new model was no longer an economy model and was designed to be up-market.